Chicago residents have been told for years that reform inside the Chicago Police Department is on the way. Yet a new investigation from the Invisible Institute and ProPublica confirms what many community members have long feared: even officers found responsible for severe misconduct, including sexual harassment, domestic violence, and other abuses of power, continue to rise through the ranks.

Two officers recently promoted to sergeant had been recommended for firing by independent investigators. Another officer with a sustained sexual harassment finding was promoted despite an arbitrator affirming he was “clearly guilty.” These are not isolated mistakes. This is a system failing by design.

Right now, CPD’s promotions process allows disciplinary records to be ignored for the majority of promotions, even though the federal consent decree requires the department to incorporate these records when deciding who is fit to lead. Departments in New York, Los Angeles, and nearly every other major city already consider discipline before promotion. Chicago continues to fall behind, and the public continues paying the price.

Supervisors shape the culture of the department. When officers with a documented history of misconduct are elevated, it tells every officer that what matters most is test scores, not integrity. It tells the public that their trust is secondary. And it signals that survivors of misconduct—both within the department and across the city—do not matter.

We are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, and the Chicago Office of Inspector General to immediately implement a promotions policy that fully incorporates an officer’s disciplinary history. The department has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for expert recommendations, and the consent decree has required this reform for years. There is no legitimate reason for continued delay.

Chicago deserves a police department where leadership is earned through conduct, not simply exams. Our communities cannot rebuild trust while officers with serious misconduct findings are placed in positions of authority.

We ask city leadership to act now and ensure that promotions reflect the values Chicago residents expect and deserve.