Why is it so hard to fire a policeman?

From the Sun-Times today:

Take Gerald Callahan.

In 2004, he handcuffed a bartender who refused to serve him. The city paid the bartender $15,000 to make his false-arrest lawsuit go away and Callahan was suspended.

The Chicago Police Board interviews candidates for superintendent, adopts the rules that govern the department and decides on the discipline of cops and civilian police employees.

Cases come to the board after they have been investigated by the Internal Affairs Division or the Independent Police Review Authority, formally called the Office of Professional Standards. Generally, IAD investigates allegations of corruption and IPRA investigates allegations of excessive force. Those bodies recommend discipline to the superintendent, who then suggests a penalty -- either firing or a suspension -- to the Police Board.

A hearing officer conducts a trial-like hearing where witnesses are called and cross-examined. The burden of proof -- not as high as in a criminal trial -- is on the superintendent. Board members view video of the hearing and read transcripts before they meet to decide the case.

If the board finds an officer guilty, it reviews his or her history -- past awards and discipline -- before deciding the punishment.

Either side -- the superintendent or the officer -- can appeal to Cook County Circuit Court. The court can send cases back if it finds the board's decision is against the "manifest weight of the evidence,'' a high standard.

The department ordered Callahan -- an alcoholic and manic depressive -- into rehab. The day before he was return to normal duty in 2006, supervisors smelled booze on his breath. He refused to take a Breathalyzer and was abusive to his bosses.

The police superintendednt moved to fire him.

But last year, the Chicago Police Board instead suspended Callahan for 17 months without pay -- even after finding him guilty of six counts stemming from the 2006 incident and knowing he was previously suspended twice for misconduct.

A Sun-Times review of recent decisions by the Police Board -- a nine-member civilian revew panel appointed by Mayor Daley -- shows Callahan is hardly an exception.

Chicago Police superintendents have been unable to fire most of the cops they have wanted out of the department for misconduct, a Sun-Times analysis has found.

The Chicago Police Board has the final say on firings, and it turned down the superintendent about 70 percent of the time between 2003 and 2007. It operates with little publicity, even though its decisions play a big role in ensuring quality policing in the city.

Of 80 officers the superintendent sought to fire over that five-year period, just 21 were dismissed. Thirty-nine were suspended -- some for as long as three years -- even though the Police Board found them guilty of violating department rules. Twenty officers were restored to duty after being found not guilty by the board.

Read the whole thing! This has made media attention within the last couple or so years. Perhaps there needs to be a change in police discipline. Do you have any thoughts?

Via Newsalert!