Originally Posted on February 23, 2016

Good Afternoon Everyone,

As a follow-up to the message that I released last week, I would like to provide you an update. Effective March 1, 2016, the Investigatory Stop Report (ISR) will be simplified to create a more effective tool for policing. These changes simplify the form and eliminate areas of redundancy. The new ISR continues to maintain the constitutional rights of everyone and promote transparency.

In accordance with Illinois State law, the current ISR policy went into effect on January 1, 2016. Over the past month we have spoken to a number of officers who expressed concerns about the form. Your feedback is important to us and as a result the Department has streamlined the report and reduced the three narratives to one single narrative. However, officers will still be required to document the following: The name and badge number of the officer, the race/ethnicity of the person stopped, the gender of the person stopped, all the reasons for the stop, the location, date and time of the stop, whether or not a pat down resulted from the stop (along with the reason for the pat down), if contraband was discovered and what happened as a result of the stop (including an arrest, warning, etc.).

I want to take this opportunity to dispel a rumor that the ACLU is sending letters to people that are the subjects of investigatory stops. We verified with the Corporation Counsel and the ACLU that there is no truth to this rumor.

Remember, neither the law nor the Department's policy has changed as to when stops and pat-downs are appropriate; merely the documentation has changed. Please continue to uphold the law impartially and remain well-trained professionals who represent the City of Chicago in this time of transition.

Thank you for your service and dedication to the people of Chicago. Take care and stay safe.

Sincerely,

John J. Escalante

Interim Superintendent of Police

Chicago Police Department