This Chicago Tribune article provide some insight into the ongoing efforts to build an environment of accountability and responsibility in the Chicago Police Department. The article outlines the challenges of managing special units in a police department that often lack the oversight of traditional units. Task forces that deal with special enforcement often enjoy a higher level of autonomy than do traditional police subdivisions.
The issue of not allowing small infractions to go unnoticed or without consequence hold true in the profession itself. It distinguishes a good field supervisor from a lackluster one.
It’s true as stated in the article that 99% of the officers do the right thing. Unfortunately, we no longer have the luxury of the 1% that do not to continue in their positions. Communities must be willing to work with their elected officials and police administrators to enhance a working environment that encourages appropriate behavior and support to those dedicated men and women who go out everyday and deal with some pretty awful situations but still find it within them to do the right thing and be accountable to the community.