Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel 'sorry' for police misconduct in black teen's shooting death

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, underheavy criticism for his handling ofa police shootingthatresulted in the death of a black teen, gave an emotional apology Wednesdayhours before angry crowds closed city streets whiledemanding his resignation.

In a special address to Chicago'scitycouncil, the mayor said"I'm sorry" and promised "complete and total reform of thesystem."

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Emanuel's speech was met with applause from city council, but protesters said the city's actions do not go farenough. Hundreds of mostly young demonstrators filled the city'sdowntownon Wednesday, temporarily shutting down some streets andchanting, "No more killer cops" and"Rahm must go."

"This system is designed for us to be dead or in jail, andwe're tired," said protester Jamal Wayne, 20.

Emanuel's speech comes after two weeks of protests inChicago following the release of a 2014 police squad cardashboard video showing police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. Van Dyke, who is white,was charged with first-degree murder late last month.

High-profile killings of black men by mainly white policeofficers in U.S. cities have prompted a national debate andprotests about the use of excessive force by police.

With his voice occasionally breaking, Emanuelreiterated reform steps he hasalready promised. These include setting up a task force toreview police accountability, the appointment of a new head oftheagency that investigates police misconduct and searching fora new police superintendent.

Among the systemic problems with police, Emanuel aimedparticular criticism at the "code of silence" that keeps policeofficers from reporting misconduct by fellow officers. He alsohas criticized the agency that investigates police misconductfor finding almost all police shootings justified.

"We have a trust problem," said Emanuel, who stated lastweek that he had no plans to resign.

Calls forresignations

A poll over the weekend for the Illinois Observer showed 51per cent of Chicagoans think the mayor should resign, comparedwith 29 per cent who think he should not and 20per cent who wereundecided. The survey of 739 respondents had a margin of errorof plus or minus 3.68 per cent.

The crowd of protesters outside Chicago city hall Wednesday chanted, "16 shots and a coverup," and called for the resignation of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, who has been criticized for taking more than a year to charge Van Dyke.

The protesters were mostly in their teens and 20s. Three teenagers were arrested on unknown charges.

Protester Aaron Clay, 34, said that while Emanuel's speechmay have been emotional, "I don't think it was an apology to thecommunity."

State Representative La Shawn Ford, a Chicago member of theIllinois legislature's black caucus, filed a bill in Springfield, Ill., on Wednesdayto allow voters to recall Emanuel.

More evidence may surface

Another recently released video shows a man in custody beingTasered by police.

The U.S. Justice Department saidon Mondayit will launch acivil rights investigation into the city's police department,examining its use of deadly force among other issues.

Alsoon Wednesday, a federal judge said he would rule byJan. 14, 2016, on whether to release video in the shooting deathof another black teen.

The mother of Cedrick Chatman, 17, hassued the city over Chatman's death on Jan. 7, 2013. The city hasopposed release of video in the case.