Lisa Carter - Candidate for Police Commissioner - District 6

1) Citizen complaints require timely and fair adjudication to build trust. What is your strategy to address this long-standing issue and expedite the resolution process?

Response: The board has been working to modernize and strengthen the citizen complaint process by investing in better case tracking and complaint management systems, ensuring the Office of the Chief Investigator is fully staffed and has the resources needed to meet deadlines and resolve cases expeditiously.

2) Binding arbitration, such as under Public Act 312, can influence disciplinary actions. What is your perspective on its impact on effective decision-making within the department?

Response: On binding arbitration—such as under Public Act 312—it’s clear that while it protects due process for officers, it can also limit the department’s ability to hold individuals accountable. I believe we must advocate for a balanced system—one that ensures fairness for officers while protecting the community’s right to expect high standards of conduct.

3) Civilian oversight is essential for accountability, yet recent challenges—like unfilled positions and disqualifications—highlight gaps. For example, in one district, no one filed, and seven candidates were disqualified from various districts. Additionally, five of the districts will not have a primary, as there are only two candidates on the ballot.

How would you strengthen the efficacy of the elected Board of Police Commissioners and ensure robust civilian leadership?

Response: Civilian oversight is essential—but it’s only effective if the Board itself is strong. Recent issues—like unfilled seats, disqualified candidates, and districts without primaries—are deeply concerning. To fix this, I support expanded public education about these roles, earlier candidate recruitment, and partnerships with community groups to identify strong local leaders. We must ensure that every district is represented by qualified, committed commissioners. I also support changing the meeting requirement from weekly to bi-weekly and increasing the monthly stipend police commissioners receive.