Police board vice president issues opinion in two review requests; hearing ordered for one allegation

Vice President Claudia Badillo of the Chicago Police Board on Tuesday summarized her independent review of two requests for review (25RR01 and 25RR02) that arose from a Dec. 1, 2021 exchange of gunfire in the 4th Police District involving officers Julius Givens and Nicholas Scalacci. COPA’s chief administrator had recommended discipline up to a 180-day suspension or discharge for both officers; the superintendent proposed no discipline.

Badillo said the superintendent "met the burden of overcoming the chief administrator's recommendation" as to Officer Julius Givens, did not meet the burden as to the allegation that Officer Scalacci discharged a firearm, and did meet the burden regarding the allegation that Scalacci failed to notify the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) that he had discharged his weapon. On the firearm-discharge allegation for Scalacci, Badillo said her opinion should not be construed as endorsing either party and that "a hearing that provides due process to all parties is necessary to determine whether Officer Scalacci violated any of the CPD's rules of conduct by discharging his firearm, and if so, the appropriate disciplinary action to be imposed."

Badillo said a written opinion explaining her ruling will be posted on the Police Board’s website. The board did not announce a final disciplinary disposition at the meeting; Badillo’s findings outline factual and legal issues that the board said must be addressed at a hearing before any final discipline is imposed.

The proceedings referenced COPA’s recommended sanctions and CPD general orders governing use of force and reporting; the board did not hold a vote imposing discipline during this public session. The written opinion and any subsequent hearing schedule will provide the next procedural step for parties and for members of the public monitoring these matters.