[ad_1]
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Chicago Police Department has suspended a minimum of 12 officers accused of lounging, napping, making espresso and popping popcorn in Congressman Bobby Rush’s marketing campaign workplace in June whereas looters tore aside the strip mall exterior.
Two police sources inform CBS2 Investigator Brad Edwards a minimum of a dozen officers and command employees will face multi-week suspensions.
At the time of the incident, Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged to carry the officers concerned accountable for his or her actions, however declined touch upon the suspensions Thursday afternoon, referring inquiries to CPD.
In a press release, CPD spokesman Tom Ahern mentioned the division’s Internal Affairs Bureau has accomplished its investigation of the officers seen inside Rush’s workplace, and “The members have been notified of the results of the investigation.”
Ahern didn’t present specifics on what number of officers face suspensions, or how lengthy the suspensions are.
“Each member may elect to challenge the decisions based on their collective bargaining agreements, which initiates the grievance process. We are unable to release further information regarding the results of the investigation at this time due to the ongoing grievance process,” Ahern mentioned in an e mail.
The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon the suspensions, nevertheless it’s probably they’ll enchantment the selections.
The incident occurred on June 1, 2020, at Rush’s marketing campaign workplace at 5401 S. Wentworth Ave., as protests and looting had been underway all through town within the wake of the demise of George Floyd by the hands of Minneapolis police. Lightfoot and Rush had been livid that whereas different officers had been coping with the unrest, a minimum of 13 officers had been caught on video enjoyable within the congressman’s workplace.
“One was asleep on my couch in my campaign office. They even had the unmitigated gall to go and make coffee for themselves and to pop popcorn, my popcorn, in my microwave,” Rush mentioned on the time. “They were in a mode of relaxation and did not care about what was happening. They did not care. They absolutely did not care.”
Lightfoot apologized to Rush for the habits of the officers, who she mentioned “tarnished the badge,”
“It’s such a profound disrespect. It’s a personal embarrassment to me. And I’m sorry that you and your staff, even had to deal with this incredible indignity,” Lightfoot mentioned. “And I can tell you one thing for certain, not one of these officers will be allowed to hide behind the badge and go on like nothing every happened. Not anymore. Not in my city. Not in your city.”
City officers have mentioned there have been a minimum of 13 officers who had been straight concerned within the incident, together with three supervisors. In video photos, the CPD officers are seen sleeping on a sofa, sitting round checking their telephones, and making espresso.
“I believe we should take the strongest possible action. Particularly with supervisors,” Lightfoot mentioned on the time. “There will be a reckoning with the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and that moment is now.”
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown additionally criticized the CPD officers seen within the video and promised that these concerned will probably be handled.
“Angry. Disgusted doesn’t really express it can’t begin to express how I feel,” Brown mentioned. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 34 years, Brown said. “These officers did nothing to help their fellow officers. In those instances they stood by and just did nothing. The supervisors should be even held to a higher and will be held to a higher standard. They fail to live up to the standard, the integrity that we have as a policeman.”
But the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing rank-and-file officers, has mentioned the photographs had been taken out of context.
FOP Lodge 7 First Vice President Michael Mette instructed WBBM Newrsadio that he thought the officers had been arrange – and claims it was the mayor’s means of deflecting blame for her personal incompetence in the course of the protests and looting that had been sparked by Floyd’s demise.
“I find it very difficult to think that these officers were just inside Bobby Rush’s office without permission,” Mette instructed the station.
Mette additionally instructed WBBM Newsradio that Lightfoot and Rush’s information convention appeared “staged,” and mentioned it got here as Lightfoot is attempting to take away protections from officers accused of wrongdoing.
FOP President John Catanzara has mentioned somebody from Rush’s employees requested police to be there, they usually had been instructed to make themselves at residence, however Rush has vehemently denied that, and a bunch of ministers mentioned if the union can’t show that declare, they need an apology.
“We are demanding that the FOP president produce evidence that one of Rush’s staffers gave the officers permission to make themselves at home or apologize publicly for lying in an attempt to cover-up and defend the officer’s illegal activity,” mentioned Rev. Andre Smith, CEO of Chicago Against Violence.
[ad_2]
Source link
