Members of the LGBTQ community, especially individuals who are transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming, and who come from communities of color, report experiencing high incidents of violence and harassment from law enforcement, which erodes trust, and leads to a fear of law enforcement.

Will you pledge to work with the LGBTQ community to update CPD policies that would reduce violence and harassment, and increase trust between the transgender, intersex and gender-nonconforming community and the CPD? If yes, please describe the elements of an updated policy that would reduce the violence and harassment faced by the LGBTQ community.


DOROTHY BROWN:

Mayoral Questionnaire

Violence and harassment of people from any community, especially the transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming community, will not be tolerated in my administration, under any circumstances.  I will create a hotline and other mechanism within the Mayor’s Office for reporting directly to the Mayor’s Office the failure of CPD to address issues of violence and harassment against any community, especially for transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming community to ensure that all complaints are investigated and handled properly.  There will be a continuous evaluation of CPD’s progress in meeting the goals of the consent decree for community policing and other areas to reduce crime in all communications. 

I have been a long-time proponent of implicit bias training for law enforcement. Implicit (unconscious) bias is a form of prejudice that occurs when individuals make judgments at least partially influenced by gender, race or other prohibited factors without realizing they have done so, usually based on societal stereotypes or their own personal experiences.  Implicit biases can affect how police officers react in tense situations, such as encounters with rebellious or troubled youth, responding to hate crimes, or helping victims of domestic abuse. To help ensure these daily encounters remain professional, supervisors and officers must become aware of their own implicit biases through a no-fault training process.  

A no-fault training process concentrates on developing self-awareness, rather than establishing blame. Training modules should include sections on: the nature and extent of stereotyping and the application of double standards in judging different groups of people; promoting self-aware decision making; and focusing on clear behaviors rather than gut feelings, in making judgments about individuals.  As Mayor, I will ensure that implicit bias training is mandatory for all employees of the CPD, at all levels and that there is a continuous monitoring and evaluation of the success of implicit bias trainings.

GERY CHICO:

Mayoral Questionnaire

The CPD consent decree must be codified in city ordinance with appropriate updates to protect the LGBTQ community.


BILL DALEY:

DID NOT RESPOND.


AMARA ENYIA:

Mayoral Questionnaire

No one should experience violence, harassment, or disrespect by members of the law enforcement community in Chicago or anywhere else in the country. These kinds of incidents are violations of trust; they violate civil and human rights. Transformative policies would require updated police training procedures that stress the importance of treating members of the LGBT community with respect, banning any questions related to gender identity that are not explicitly related to the solving of crimes or gathering of evidence. Any required pat downs must be conducted in a respectful manner.


BOB FIORETTI:

DID NOT RESPOND.


LA SHAWN FORD:

Mayoral Questionnaire
Yes, I believe a true sanctuary city not only protects Chicago residents from unjust outside government forces but against discrimination inside the city itself. Whether we are talking about undocumented residents, other people of color, those with disabilities, members of our LGBTQ community and every intersectional identity, we need to build greater interaction and respect between these community members and CPD whose mission should be to serve and protect.

JERRY JOYCE:

DID NOT RESPOND.


JOHN KOZLAR:

Mayoral Questionnaire

I will implement more training with our police department, so that they know the specific needs our the LGBTQ community. The more training, the more we can reduce violence and harassment.


LORI LIGHTFOOT:

Mayoral Questionnaire

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as someone with a deep background in law enforcement and public safety, I will work with the LGBTQ+ community and the Chicago Police Department (“CPD”) to protect my community and build trust and relationships with CPD. As discussed in my LGBTQ+ policy, I will begin by hiring three mayoral LGBTQ+ liaisons for the North, West and South sides of Chicago who will be responsible for working with city departments, including CPD, to heal the deep scars that so many feel from years of oppression under the law.

In addition, my administration will institute safeguards to ensure that each hate crime incident and complaint involving a member of the LGBTQ+ community is fully and properly investigated. My mayoral LGBTQ liaisons will be actively involved in ensuring that each case is properly tracked and victims and witnesses receive the support and resources they need. Liaisons will coordinate with the appropriate CPD district commander to ensure that properly trained detectives investigate each incident and complaint. In instances where a police officer is suspected of a hate crime, the mayoral liaisons will ensure that the Bureau of Internal Affairs or Civilian Office of Police Accountability conducts a thorough investigation.


GARRY McCARTHY:

Mayoral Questionnaire

I would recommend enhanced sensitivity training for CPD officers and make a major push to hire more transgender officers.


SUSANA MENDOZA:

Mayoral Questionnaire

As part of updating police policies, I would make sure to include LGBTQ sensitivity training, nondiscrimination policies, zero tolerance harassment policies, policies that require officers’ to respect individuals’ gender identity, use individuals’ preferred name and pronoun, and explicitly prohibit searches conducted for the purpose of assigning gender based on anatomical features. I would also work to ensure that the police department conducts outreach to the LGBTQ community and expand the LGBTQ police liaison program.


TONI PRECKWINKLE:

Mayoral Questionnaire
I have always been an ally of the LGBTQ community and would ensure that CPD policies better protect this community. The police force must be properly trained to deal with the mental health needs of the community in order to increase trust. Ultimately, there must be accountability within the police department so that there are consequences and repercussions for officers responsible for violence or harassment. CPD should also implement staff training on topics related to the safety and challenges of the LGBTQ community.  

NEAL SALES-GRIFFIN:

DID NOT RESPOND.


PAUL VALLAS:

Mayoral Questionnaire

The key is to increase training in CPD, and I feel that all City agencies should reflect the communities that they serve. The way to empower the community is to give the community power and nothing gives the community power more than representation. I will ensure that all redundant training includes addressing the issues identified. 


WILLIE WILSON:

DID NOT RESPOND.