CPD CPD Procedures & Policies — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Chicago Police Department's use-of-force continuum?
- A framework specifying escalating levels of force from verbal commands through deadly force, proportional to the threat (Correct answer)
- Officers may use any level of force in any situation
- Force is only authorized for felony arrests
- The continuum has only two levels: no force and deadly force
Correct answer: A framework specifying escalating levels of force from verbal commands through deadly force, proportional to the threat
CPD's use-of-force policy establishes a continuum of options from officer presence and verbal commands through physical control, less-lethal weapons, and deadly force, requiring proportional response to threats.
Question 2: What is the Illinois SAFE-T Act and how does it affect CPD operations?
- A criminal justice reform law that eliminated cash bail and modified pretrial detention, use of force, and officer certification requirements (Correct answer)
- A safety training act requiring annual firearms qualification only
- A law exclusively about traffic enforcement
- An act requiring safety equipment in police vehicles
Correct answer: A criminal justice reform law that eliminated cash bail and modified pretrial detention, use of force, and officer certification requirements
The SAFE-T Act reformed Illinois criminal justice including eliminating cash bail, modifying use-of-force standards, creating a statewide police decertification process, and requiring body camera footage.
Question 3: What are a CPD officer's responsibilities during a traffic stop?
- Identify the reason for the stop, request license and registration, ensure officer safety, and document the encounter (Correct answer)
- Only issue a citation without any verbal interaction
- Search the vehicle without probable cause
- Demand passengers exit the vehicle in all stops
Correct answer: Identify the reason for the stop, request license and registration, ensure officer safety, and document the encounter
Officers must have reasonable suspicion or probable cause for the stop, clearly identify themselves, explain the reason for the stop, request relevant documents, and document the encounter.
Question 4: What is CPD's policy on body-worn cameras?
- Officers must activate cameras for all law enforcement encounters including stops, arrests, and use of force incidents (Correct answer)
- Cameras are optional and officers choose when to activate them
- Only supervisors are required to wear cameras
- Cameras are only activated during SWAT operations
Correct answer: Officers must activate cameras for all law enforcement encounters including stops, arrests, and use of force incidents
CPD policy requires officers to activate body-worn cameras for all law enforcement-related activities including investigatory stops, arrests, searches, use of force, and any encounter that becomes adversarial.
Question 5: What constitutes an investigatory stop (Terry stop) under CPD policy?
- A brief detention based on reasonable articulable suspicion that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime (Correct answer)
- Any interaction between an officer and a citizen
- Stopping someone based solely on their appearance
- A planned arrest with a warrant
Correct answer: A brief detention based on reasonable articulable suspicion that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime
An investigatory stop requires reasonable articulable suspicion based on specific facts that the person is involved in criminal activity. The officer must be able to articulate those facts.
Question 6: What is the consent decree governing CPD?
- A court-supervised agreement requiring CPD reforms in use of force, training, accountability, and community policing (Correct answer)
- A decree requiring all CPD officers to consent to polygraph tests
- A document granting CPD unlimited authority
- An agreement between CPD and the FBI exclusively
Correct answer: A court-supervised agreement requiring CPD reforms in use of force, training, accountability, and community policing
Following a DOJ investigation, the consent decree requires comprehensive CPD reforms including revised use-of-force policies, improved training, enhanced accountability, community policing, and independent monitoring.
CPD CPD Procedures & Policies
What is the Chicago Police Department's use-of-force continuum?