: To manage its image, the CPD has dramatically expanded its Communications Division . By 2024, the department's public relations staff reached a record high of 55 full-time employees—the largest for any peer city—costing taxpayers approximately $4.8 million annually.
: Recent surveys indicate a "bleak picture" of police perception among young Black and Latino men in Chicago, who frequently report negative interactions and a lack of trust. Common descriptive terms from these surveys include "aggressive," "unreliable," and "disrespectful". Chicago P.D. image
: The department utilizes social media platforms like the CPD Media Twitter/X and an online Media Center to share news on arrests, community engagements, and reform progress under its ongoing Consent Decree . The TV Show Image: "Rough Realism" : To manage its image, the CPD has
The public image of the actual Chicago Police Department is currently characterized by a complex mix of reform efforts and significant trust deficits, particularly among minority communities. particularly among minority communities.