What's Happening?
A Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer, Charles Harris II, who shot into a moving car in June 2020, wounding two men, will not be fired despite a recommendation from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). Former Chicago Police Supt. Larry
Snelling determined that Officer Harris should face a 30-day suspension, rejecting COPA's initial recommendation for termination. The incident occurred on June 12, 2020, in Englewood. According to the probe, an officer approached a reportedly stolen Chevrolet Malibu, which then began moving in reverse. When blocked by a CPD vehicle, the car drove forward, striking Officer Eddie Haynie and dragging him. Officer Harris then fired five shots at the car, wounding two occupants. Both men were later convicted of charges related to the altercation. COPA concluded that Harris's use of force was unreasonable as Officer Haynie was no longer in the vehicle's path when the shots were fired, and also cited Harris's failure to activate his body-worn camera and notify supervisors. However, Snelling's report concluded that Harris's actions were 'objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances' and complied with CPD policy, stating that only four seconds elapsed between Haynie being struck and thrown from the vehicle, leaving no time for de-escalation.
Why It's Important?
This decision highlights ongoing tensions and disagreements between Chicago's police oversight body, COPA, and the police department regarding officer accountability and the use of force. The rejection of COPA's recommendation for termination by the former Superintendent, and the subsequent dropping of COPA's appeal, underscores the challenges in implementing stricter disciplinary actions against officers. This case could influence public trust in police accountability mechanisms and fuel debates about police reform in Chicago. The CPD's policy explicitly prohibits firing into a moving vehicle unless there is an imminent threat to life, and COPA's finding that Harris's actions were unreasonable directly contradicts Snelling's assessment. The outcome may be perceived by some as a failure to hold officers fully accountable for actions that result in civilian injuries, potentially exacerbating community concerns about police conduct and the justice system's response to such incidents. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight bodies when their recommendations are overturned by police leadership.
What's Next?
Officer Charles Harris II will serve a 30-day suspension and has been stripped of his badge and assigned to administrative duties. The records published by COPA do not clarify why the investigation took until January 2024 to complete or why COPA later recommended a 29-day suspension after Snelling's 30-day recommendation. The incident may continue to be a point of discussion in ongoing police reform efforts in Chicago. Public and civil society groups may react to this decision, potentially advocating for stronger oversight powers for COPA or for changes in how disciplinary actions are determined for police officers. The case could also influence future policy debates regarding the use of force by law enforcement, particularly in situations involving moving vehicles. The two men wounded by Harris were convicted of charges stemming from the altercation, and neither sued the city.
Beyond the Headlines
The disagreement between COPA and the former Superintendent in this case reflects a broader systemic challenge in police accountability across the U.S. The ability of police leadership to overturn recommendations from civilian oversight bodies can undermine the perceived independence and authority of these oversight mechanisms. This dynamic often leads to public skepticism about the fairness and impartiality of internal police investigations and disciplinary processes. The incident also touches upon the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of deadly force, especially when officers perceive an immediate threat, even if that threat is later deemed to have passed. The long-term implications could include a continued push for legislative changes to strengthen civilian oversight, greater transparency in police disciplinary proceedings, and a re-evaluation of training protocols for officers encountering similar high-stress situations to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety while upholding accountability.
