IPRA?

That didn't even make the cut in our "Rename OPS" contest:

• The agency charged with investigating police brutality in Chicago would get a new name - the Independent Police Review Authority - under an ordinance introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
• "This [new] name indicates what it is - it's now independent. They are reviewing the various complaints against police officers. They have authority to make recommendations," Carothers said.
• Earlier this year, the City Council agreed to sever OPS from the Police Department and turn it into a separate city department with subpoena power and a chief administrator who reports directly to the mayor. Firm deadlines were established for completing investigations and acting on OPS recommendations.

First of all, anyone who reports directly to the mayor is far from independent. They're tools, political tools (usually hatchets) who exist solely to prevent the mayor and his people from being overly embarrassed by scandal.

Second, the "authority" to make recommendations is nothing new. OPS always had that. So did the Police Board. As political appointees though, they just did what the mayor told them to do anyway. This new head of IPRA merely replaces a level of bureaucracy with another - big deal.

Third, the FOP ought to come out with some new directives shortly about how this "subpoena power" affects officers. Is it going to be administratively the same where a supervisor will order you to answer questions? Do rights against self incrimination come into play at some point? Representation? Because if the Administration is making a big deal about how this "reformation" is going to make everything all buttercups and sunshine, then they must feel that they will be able to circumvent some protections that we had in place. You know, like the one where they'd prosecute people who lied on sworn affidavits? Hahahahahahahahaha!