In May 2023, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) published a draft of its Racial Equity Action Plan, a first for CPD, and is currently inviting the public to review it and provide feedback to CPD on it. A Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) is a multi-year strategic plan that articulates how a department will work to improve equitable outcomes in their core work (service-delivery, policy, programs, finance, HR, etc.). CPD began developing its REAP in December 2022, with guidance from the City of Chicago’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. The creation of CPD’s REAP stems from the City of Chicago’s municipal code (2-4-100), which requires that all city departments must create and maintain REAPs “to articulate and guide strategy aimed at advancing equity and making it a permanent pillar in all departmental workstreams.” Progress on all REAPs is accounted for annually as a part of the City of Chicago’s budget process. 

The draft REAP shared in May 2023 was open for public comment until August 15th, 2023. During this time, members of the public were able to read and review the draft and provide written comments on it. CPD also invited the public to respond to a series of questions through an input form. Finally, CPD representatives met with dozens of community organizations and members from across Chicago to hear directly from them about what was important to include in this REAP and what feedback they had on the current draft.

Provide Your Comments

The draft REAP shared in May 2023 was open for public comment until August 15th, 2023. During this time, members of the public were able to read and review the draft and provide written comments on it. CPD also invited the public to respond to a series of questions through an input form. Finally, CPD representatives met with dozens of community organizations and members from across Chicago to hear directly from them about what was important to include in this REAP and what feedback they had on the current draft.

An updated draft, following the community engagement and public feedback, was shared publicly on November 20th, 2023, and is now open for additional public comment until December 10th, 2023.

You can review the draft plan seen below and provide any written responses you have directly to the Chicago Police Department. You can also email your comments directly to Community@ChicagoPolice.org

Questions for your Comments

CPD is asking you to consider the following questions when reviewing the draft plan and providing your feedback:

  • How would you define the problems that CPD faces with community engagement, workforce, and public safety?
  • What do you believe are the root causes of those problems for community engagement, workforce, and public safety?
  • What do you believe is missing from CPD’s draft Racial Equity Action Plan?
  • What would you recommend CPD include in its final Racial Equity Action Plan?

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