The Independent Police Review Authority takes years to investigate alleged police misconduct.

Chicago - The Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) is under fire for investigations that have lingered for years, jeopardizing in at least a few cases the firings of police officers that the superintendent had deemed unfit to serve. But the officers' lawyers say the delays are just as damaging to officers trying to defend themselves against charges they deny.

Earlier this month, the city appealed a Cook County Circuit Court ruling that reversed the firing of two other officers accused of an off-duty attack in 2006 because their case also took too long to resolve. They were returned to duty.

In addition, the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents rank-and-file officers, intends to raise the issue Monday at an arbitration hearing, saying the disciplinary investigations are too long and violate its contract with the city.

And attorneys who regularly defend Chicago police officers accused of wrongdoing have filed a flurry of motions to dismiss the cases because of delays as long as five years.

But Ilana Rosenzweig, IPRA's head, defends her record, saying the investigations are often complex and need to be thorough.

The office was certainly handed a daunting task five years ago when it was created to replace the often-maligned Office of Professional Standards. IPRA inherited its caseload and was charged with professionalizing investigations and restoring the public's trust that allegations against police officers would be taken seriously.

But attorneys who represent accused officers say the long investigations impede their ability to mount a defense and are unfair to the officers, who are sometimes stunned when charges are filed years after the allegations were initially leveled.

"There's no system that works like this … that is allowed to work at this pace," Needham said. "It's a total embarrassment."

IPRA, formed in 2007 by city ordinance, investigates about 2,800 complaints of police misconduct each year. The vast majority don't lead to charges, in many cases because the complainants don't follow through. The most serious charges — including all those leading to firings — go before the Chicago Police Board for a decision. In its five-year history, IPRA has filed 40 cases there, according to Police Board records. Those investigations took from about one year to almost 51/2 years to complete, the records show.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-17/news/ct-met-cop-investigations-delayed-20120617_1_police-officers-charges-of-excessive-force-chicago-police-board