We recommend this article from propublica.org: Chicago Police Win Big When Appealing Discipline; Analysis shows hundreds of misconduct findings overturned. In the Chicago Police Department, 85% of officers who appeal a disciplinary decision get their punishment overturned or reduced. Officers have successfully appealed cases involving drunk driving, excessive force, domestic violence, and making false statements. The victims who originally filed the complaints are not informed about the appeal and are left with the impression that the officers’ discipline was upheld.
By allowing arbitrators to routinely overturn officers’ discipline, grievance systems like the one described in this article undermine police accountability and embolden police officers to commit misconduct without fear of punishment. This problem exists in police departments in Massachusetts and other states.