The Chicago City Council unanimously passed an ordinance today that removed the Office of Professional Standards from the Police Department and placed it under the jurisdiction of Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The OPS is responsible for reviewing police misconduct.

“The OPS didn't do their job. That is why we are here,” Ald. Ray Suarez said before the vote.

OPS receives all complaints filed against the department, investigates police use of firearms, and reviews cases settled by the Department of Law to determine if further investigation is necessary.

However, the office lacks the authority to enforce its decisions. It makes recommendations to the police superintendent, who can take disciplinary action against officers.

Several aldermen said the ordinance would make the OPS more effective in the future.


“It is important we find a way to bring confidence to the general public in terms of what is going on with our police officers,” said Ald. Ed Smith.“If you look at the side of a police car, it says we protect and serve, not we arrest and abuse,” said Smith.

His comments drew applauses from members of the public.

Others, including Ald. Joe Moore and Ald. Patrick O'Connor, said the move could hurt police morale.

The council also:

* Approved bond issues of up to $90 million for two housing projects -- the Randolph Tower City Apartments Project and the Hollywood House Project.

* Increased penalties for parents whose children are caught vandalizing. Parents may be assessed a maximum of $3,000 in fines and clean-up costs.

At the beginning of the meeting, Daley honored city residents who have lost family members to gun violence. Too often, he said, children are raised in neighborhoods where lethal crossfire is tolerated.

"That attitude cannot prevail in our society," he said. "They kill their own."

The city is running a gun turn-in program on Saturday.