10 Years Since Laquan McDonald’s Murder: What’s Changed and What Hasn’t
A Turning Point in Chicago’s Policing History
Ten years ago, a shooting took place that would send shockwaves through Chicago, but it took more than a year for our city to see what actually happened. On October 20, 2014, Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, sparking a wave of protests and activism for police reform.
The Initial Investigation and its Cover-up
Only now do we know how close we came to never learning the name “Laquan McDonald” and understanding the full impact his murder had on policing in Chicago. The initial investigation was tainted by a cover-up, with the city and the police department working to downplay the incident and withhold crucial evidence.
A Turning Point in Transparency
However, the Laquan McDonald case marked a turning point in transparency and accountability for the Chicago Police Department. In 2016, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office released a video of the shooting, which showed that Van Dyke had lied about what happened and that he was not justified in using lethal force.
Data Show Decrease in Police-Involved Fatalities
Data gathered by WGN Investigates show Chicago police officers shot and killed 154 people in the decade before Laquan McDonald’s murder and 62 in the 10 years since, a 60% decline. This significant reduction in police-involved fatalities is a positive step forward, but there is still much work to be done to ensure accountability and transparency within the department.
The Lasting Impact of Laquan McDonald’s Murder
Laquan McDonald’s murder led to numerous reforms, including the creation of the Police Department’s Independent Review Authority, the publication of the Department’s Use of Force policy, and the implementation of de-escalation training for officers. The police department has also taken steps to increase transparency, including the release of police videos and bodycam footage.
Conclusion
While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the police department is accountable and transparent in its actions. The murder of Laquan McDonald serves as a reminder of the importance of holding police officers accountable for their actions and of the need for continued reforms to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
FAQs
* What was the outcome of the Laquan McDonald shooting?
+ Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke.
* How many police-involved fatalities were there in Chicago before and after Laquan McDonald’s murder?
+ There were 154 police-involved fatalities in the decade before Laquan McDonald’s murder and 62 in the 10 years since, a 60% decline.
* What reforms were implemented as a result of Laquan McDonald’s murder?
+ The Chicago Police Department created the Independent Review Authority, published its Use of Force policy, and implemented de-escalation training for officers. The department has also increased transparency, releasing police videos and bodycam footage.
