Stops and Loitering Enforcement
The City of Chicago has reached a class action settlement in the case of Smith, et al., v. City of Chicago, et al., No. 15-cv-03467. The case was brought by individuals challenging the Chicago Police Department’s (“CPD”) policies and practices in conducting investigatory stops. The parties have reached a settlement requiring certain reforms to CPD’s policies and practices pertaining to monitoring, reporting, reviewing, community engagement, training, and accountability measures relating to investigatory stops conducted by CPD officers to be included in a consent decree. These agreements require revisions to CPD’s policies and procedures governing investigatory stops, protective pat downs, and the enforcement of the City of Chicago’s Loitering Ordinances (Municipal Code of Chicago Section 8-4-015 “Gang Loitering” and Section 8-4-017 “Narcotics-Related Loitering).
Below you will find information related to these agreements and the actions required by the Chicago Police Department. Please continue to visit this site for additional information on the progress of the reforms, including revisions to the CPD directives on investigatory stops, protective pat downs, and the enforcement of the Loitering Ordinances.
Related Information
Joint Public Statement: (July 27, 2023) The parties in the case Darnell Smith, et.al., vs City of Chicago have settled a class action lawsuit which challenged investigatory stop practices by CPD officers. The agreement includes enhanced training, supervision and accountability systems, more community involvement, policy changes, and binding judicial oversight – all designed to help officers do their job more effectively, build community confidence in the police department, and more effectively use police resources. This Agreement is the product of more than six years of litigation between the parties and builds on the reforms underway at CPD by expanding the scope of the Consent Decree being overseen by U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer to include oversight and reform of CPD’s policies and training related to investigatory stops as well as data collection and analysis by CPD.
The City of Chicago, CPD, and Plaintiffs enter into this settlement with the shared recognition that the ability of a police department to protect the community it serves is only as strong as the relationship it has with that community. The agreed upon reforms to investigatory stop practices aim to build and strengthen relationships between CPD, its officers, and all members of the community. The purpose of this Agreement is to ensure that the City of Chicago and CPD protect the statutory and Constitutional rights of all members of the community, treat individuals with dignity and respect, enhance both officer and public safety, and improve the City’s ability to effectively address crime by increasing public confidence in the CPD. At the same time, the parties recognize that police officers work in difficult conditions. In this Agreement, the City commits to ensure that its officers have the necessary resources to perform their duties successfully and within Constitutional boundaries to promote officer and public safety. This Agreement is a positive step towards significant, lasting change for CPD, and the communities it serves.
Below are documents related to Smith v. The City of Chicago, No. 1:15-cv-03467.
- Joint Stipulation and Class Action Settlement Agreement
- Class Notice (Exhibit A)
- Preliminary Approval Order (Exhibit D)