What Do Chicago Police Brutality Statistics Show About the Chicago Police Department?

Learn About Dangerous Police Interactions From Our Abuse of Power Attorneys

Chicago police brutality statistics demonstrate that police killings remain a serious issue in this city, even after years of police reform and protest. In this article, our police abuse attorneys will explore the data on issues like false arrest, excessive force, and police killings. 

If you have been a victim of police abuse or lost a loved one due to wrongful death caused by law enforcement, our Chicago police brutality law firm can help. We will thoroughly investigate the incident, identify the negligent parties, and negotiate for a fair settlement based on previous examples of successful litigation. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights. 

Police Abuse of Power Statistics in the United States

• The Bureau of Justice Statistics reveals that African-Americans in the United States are 3.5 times more likely than whites to be killed by officers when the victim was not attacking or did not have a weapon.
• The National Violent Death Reporting System reveals that Black Americans are disproportionately victims of police use of excessive force in 32% of all cases, at a rate 2.8 times higher than whites.
• A 2019 Boston University research report found that the extent of a city’s segregation is a predictor of white/black racial disparity involved in deadly police shootings.
• The National Vital Statistics System reports that at least 14 officers identified in 440 deadly police shooting cases had killed or shot someone before, and five of those had multiple previous shootings.
• 15% of individuals who experience police threat or excessive use of force are injured. 

Chicago Police Department Abuse Statistics

The University of Illinois-Chicago has performed extensive research on incidents of police misconduct in the city. Their results demonstrate the serious impact of police brutality on public welfare, as well as a lack of transparency and accountability. 

• There are approximately 10 people killed by Chicago police officers every year. 
• Every year, 200 people in Chicago are treated for injuries they suffered while in police custody.
• Between 2016 and 2023, 1,360 people sought treatment for injuries caused by Chicago police officers. 
• In the past 10 years, the police department has paid out $500 million to settle complaints about police violence or civil rights violations. 
• 12.6% of civilians who suffer police misconduct are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
• Only 25% of individuals treated in hospitals for police brutality are released to the care of the justice system, meaning that the rest are not charged with a crime. 
• The most common cause of injury was blows and manhandling by police staff, while the second cause was unspecified acts of violence. 
• Conductive energy devices like tasers were responsible for 10.8% of all injuries. 

Additionally, Chicago police officers are more likely to be violent than officers in other cities. A database of police killings by major cities found that Chicago ranked third for people killed by officers, above New York City. Per capita, though, Chicago officers killed fewer people than those in Detroit, Michigan, or Spokane, Washington. 

Laws Surrounding Police Misconduct in Chicago, Illinois

§2-84-030 of the Municipal Code of Chicago governs law enforcement officer conduct and acceptable uses of force. These include:

• Not mistreating anyone, either on or off-duty
• Using appropriate language and avoiding verbal altercations
• Identifying oneself as a police officer while on official business
• Only using or displaying a weapon when it is necessary for self-defense
• Reporting a firearm discharge to the desk sergeant as soon as possible after the incident occurred

A Chicago Reporter study found that police officers covered their badges and nametags during the George Floyd protests that swept the country in 2020. This is against the department’s rules of conduct, which require free access to an officer’s identification during all police interactions.

Illinois also has laws about how police can conduct arrests. These include:

• All Illinois police departments must require the use of body cameras (50 ILCS §706/10-1).
• Officers can only use force if they believe that the individual poses an imminent threat of serious injury or death to officers, members of the public, or the detainee themselves (720 ILCS §5/7-5). 
• Deadly force can only be used if the police believe that someone’s life is in danger (720 ILCS §5/7-5).
• Any potential violation or infraction must be reported to the Board of the Illinois State Police within 10 days (50 ILCS §705/9.2)

In the Supreme Court Case City of Chicago v. Fraternal Order of Police, the court decided that police departments must keep all records of police misconduct for more than five years. This makes it easier for our personal injury lawyers to investigate potential civil rights violations and hold the CPD accountable for negligent actions.

Consult a Police Abuse Injury Attorney Near You!

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement for your injuries. We have a 98% success rate, including against governments and municipal departments like the CPD. With our help, you can receive justice and hold cops accountable for inappropriate or violent behavior. 

We understand that many families have insufficient funds to hire an attorney. Because of that, we accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits through contingency fee agreements, meaning no upfront fees are paid until after we have successfully resolved your case.

Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or through the contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.