(a) Qualifications. The Public Safety Deputy shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(i) An attorney with substantial experience in criminal, civil rights, and/or labor law, or corporate and/or governmental investigations; or an individual with substantial experience in law enforcement oversight, preferably with a graduate degree.
(ii) Knowledge of law enforcement, particularly of internal investigations of wrongdoing and use of force.
(iii) A commitment to and knowledge of the need for and responsibilities of law enforcement, as well as the need to protect basic constitutional rights of all affected parties.
(iv) Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and leadership.
(v) The ability to work with diverse groups and individuals.
The Public Safety Deputy shall not be a current or former employee or member of the Police Department, the Independent Police Review Authority, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or the Police Board.
(b) Selection process. Within 90 days of an actual or expected vacancy in the position of Public Safety Deputy because of death, resignation, removal, or the Inspector General's decision not to reappoint an incumbent Public Safety Deputy, the Inspector General is authorized to, and shall, engage a nationally recognized organization with expertise in government oversight to perform a nationwide search and to create a pool of no less than ten of the most qualified candidates for the position of Public Safety Deputy. The Inspector General shall within two business days of engaging such organization submit to the City Council in an official communication placed on file with the City Clerk the name of such organization. The organization shall submit the identities of such candidates, including resumes, qualifications, and statements detailing each candidate's credentials, to the Inspector General, within 60 days. Any costs associated with the selection process under this Section shall be paid for from funds duly appropriated for such purpose.
The Inspector General shall, within 30 days of receipt of the information submitted under this subsection, select and nominate the most qualified candidate for approval by the City Council. If the City Council rejects the candidate, the Inspector General shall select and nominate another candidate from the pool, until the candidate selected and nominated by the Inspector General is approved by the City Council.
If deadlines established in this subsection have not been timely met, the Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight may convene a public hearing, at which the Inspector General shall appear to speak upon request of such Committee as to the cause or causes of delay and the steps taken to complete their responsibilities under this subsection.
(c) Term. The term of the Public Safety Deputy shall commence upon the approval of their nomination by the City Council, and shall continue for the remaining term of the incumbent Inspector General, provided that the Public Safety Deputy shall continue in office until a successor has been approved by the City Council. At the conclusion of a term, the incumbent Public Safety Deputy may be reappointed by the Inspector General, subject to approval by the City Council. If the incumbent Public Safety Deputy is not reappointed, or if at any time a vacancy occurs due to the death, resignation, or removal of the incumbent Public Safety Deputy, the Inspector General shall select a new Public Safety Deputy pursuant to the process set forth in this section, subject to the approval of the City Council.
In the event of a vacancy of the Public Safety Deputy, the Inspector General may appoint an interim Public Safety Deputy who is currently employed within the Office of Inspector General without City Council approval until a permanent selection is made. An interim Public Safety Deputy shall have all investigatory, oversight, and jurisdictional powers of the Public Safety Deputy.
(Added Coun. J. 10-5-16, p. 34471, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 7-19-23, p. 1888, § 2)