New Chicago Police Use-of-Force Policy Emphasizes ‘Sanctity of Life'

The Chicago Police Department has proposed a new policy that would require officers to use the least amount of force necessary and centers on the "sanctity of life."

Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said Friday that the policy will undergo 45 days of public comment, which he called a department first and a step toward a promised improvement in transparency. The proposal comes as the U.S. Department of Justice investigates Chicago police after a white officer fatally shot a black teenager 16 times in 2014.

The proposal also requires officers to offer medical aid to those injured in use-of-force incidents. Officers will be expected to intervene if they see another officer violating department policy. Deadly force could only be used to prevent immediate threat of death or great bodily harm.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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