The city of Chicago says it is making internal investigation files of police misconduct cases public.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office made the announcement Sunday. The city says it made the decision after working to resolve litigation targeting the city's long-standing policy of treating police misconduct as a personnel matter, which are exempt under FOIA laws.
The mayor says "it's imperative to build trust and partnership between residents and the police." Emanuel says the new policy "is a step forward in that effort."
The Chicago Police Department will release files in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. Standard FOIA exemptions will apply and there will be redactions so investigations aren't compromised.
City attorneys say they decided not to continue litigation because making the records public served the public good.
