Word is: The Chicago Police have been shaking down drug addicts by pulling them into the alleys, and then strip searching them. Totally illegal, but cops commit more crime than criminals, by far. They lie on the stand every day. They lie, they cheat, they steal, and they physically abuse people on a regular basis.
Every once in a blue moon, someone will catch them on camera. Most upper-middle class people think these incidents are the exception, committed by a few rouge cops. If they only knew! (most don’t want to know, and many like it when the cops oppress poor people. More beer and chips for them!)
While the addicts will testify that they were violated in court, nothing will ever come of it because the cops get a blank check in court. That’s why they lie so often, they have no fear of ever being caught.
I’m SERIOUSLY considering doing a video project that documents these cops violating people. They’ve had me on the hood of the car THREE times in the past six months, and I don’t even do dope! They just make up whatever they want, and proceed to violate people’s basic civil rights.
I think you should do whatever you feel you need to if you perceive there is a story there which you want to follow up on.
I think medias all in bet on fast news will fall in on itself and whomever leans into the long form freelance reportage best and can utilize the freedom (uncomfortable, in depth) and resource(access) that that form brings be it artfully or informatively will win in the long game.