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Read the US DOJ report on the Chicago Police Force’s Use of Force which is attached as a pdf (edited version for easy reading)
Now act a legal advisor writing a memo (total of no more than about 700 to 1000 words) advising the Chicago Police Chief and Chicago Mayor as to the city’s liability. Your memo should be marked “Confidential/Attorney Client Privilege”. Your memo should be single spaced and have separate sections for each of the below issues:
Advise the City which federal law(s) the city has violated and is exposed to liability by civilians and explain why (ie. what facts in the report lead you to this conclusion).
Advise the City which torts that the police conduct documented in this report can now be sued for.
If the City of Chicago refuses to make reforms mandated by US DOJ, there will be a federal lawsuit filed. Recommend in your memo if the City should voluntarily enter into a federal “consent judgment” [a/k/a federal consent decree]. Explain what this is and how it is enforced. Explain what the US DOJ may be asking for in such a “consent judgment” (ie. the changes in City Police policies that should occur and how they will be monitored for progress)
Do research and cite in your memo at least 5 other cities or counties that have been placed under “federal consent judgments or orders” to reform their law enforcement of department of corrects routine practices in the USA. Explain briefly the mandates placed on that governmental department or law enforcement agency to improve their conduct in each case.
Propose a press release statement for the Chicago Police Chief and the Mayor to read to the press in response to this report—make sure the statement is short and strikes the proper tone and would be well received by the general public. Do you recommend that in the press release statement that the City of Chicago admit all wrongdoing and admit full liability? If not, why not. Do you recommend in the press release statement that the City of Chicago deny all of the allegations of wrongdoing and announce an aggressive defense of the impending federal lawsuit by US DOJ to be filed to reform the police department? Why/why not.
