Chicago police release new draft policies for crowd control, arrests ahead of DNC NBC Chicago [Video]

Chicago police officers have already started training for the Democratic National Convention, but now, with less than 10 weeks to go before delegates flood the Windy City, the department is asking the public to weigh in on new crowd control and arrest policies.

Community groups have been critical of previous policies they said did not protect First Amendment rights. The Chicago Police Department’s new Response to Crowds suite of directives respond to those public concerns.

The directives, which were recently posted on CPD’s website, are the second chance for public engagement. Initially, CPD’s mass arrest policy was available in February to review.

Public comment is now open through June 30. After that, CPD will review the additional feedback received to guide future revisions to the drafts.

A key takeaway from the department’s new policies relates to crowds, First Amendment assemblies (previously called “protests”) and civil disturbances: “Force will only be used when it is objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportional.”

CPD also said “mass arrests are a last …