“We will not tolerate that kind of abusive, offensive conduct on the part of police officers. Period,” the mayor said
By Fran Spielman Updated Jun 5, 2020, 2:48pm CDT
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot cautioned Chicagoans not to paint the entire Chicago Police Department with a “broad brush” because of what appears to be the “over-the-top” actions of a few. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times fileChicago Police officers who covered their badge numbers and nametags and were photographed giving the finger to protesters should be fired, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday.
“This is gonna be the superintendent’s call ultimately. But, in my view, they’ve forfeited their right to be Chicago Police officers,” Lightfoot said.
“I’ve seen the photograph of the officer, in uniform, giving people the finger. We’ll find that person. And, in my view, that person needs to immediately be stripped of their police powers and start the process for firing him. We will not tolerate that kind of abusive, offensive conduct on the part of police officers. Period.”
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara could not be reached for comment.
The mayor said her patience is also wearing thin with Chicago Police officers who are refusing to wear masks and protective gear provided by the city to protect them and those around them from the coronavirus. If they refuse, they, too, “need to be disciplined,” Lightfoot said.
Having said that, the mayor cautioned Chicagoans not to paint the entire Police Department with a “broad brush” because of what appears to be the “over-the-top” actions of a few.
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The Chicago Police officer who flipped off protesters last night will be investigated, officials said. https://buff.ly/3eQIOrB
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“The Chicago Police Department has 13,400 sworn officers. Unfortunately, we’ve seen some — and I think, a few — who have dishonored their badge. And they will be dealt with accordingly. The vast majority of officers who are out there are doing their job the right way. They are engaged in constitutional policing. They’ve leaned into their training,” she said.
“I don’t want to paint with such a broad brush. Just as we’ve seen, unfortunately, some people in the crowd of protesters act in a way that is violent and criminal, we can’t say that the vast majority of protesters are somehow untoward. They’re not. The vast majority of protesters have been out there in the street with righteous indignation.”
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Videos and photos of alleged police abuse that have spread like wildfire on social media have emboldened those who want to “de-fund” the Chicago Police Department, remove officers from Chicago Public Schools and spend the money on social programs.
Lightfoot wasn’t having it.
She’s a former Police Board president who co-chaired the Task Force on Police Accountability whose scathing indictment of CPD after the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video paved the way for the Justice Department to do the same.
But she is also a former federal prosecutor and head of the Police Department Office of Professional Standards who has spent her career supporting the police. In fact, she wants to make the $95 million police academy in West Garfield Park bigger and better.
After the looting and mayhem that has ravaged Chicago in recent days, Lightfoot said Friday it makes
no sense at all to de-fund the police.
“In talking to people all over the city about the effects of this week, what I’ve heard from people in neighborhoods is they want more police protection — not less,” she said.
“I certainly understand the concern about the amount of money that we spend on policing — not just in Chicago, but throughout the country. But at this time when people are feeling physically insecure, it would dishonor those real expressions to be talking about reducing the amount of safety that we’re gonna be bringing into neighborhoods.”
The mayor was equally adamant about keeping Chicago Police officers in Chicago Public Schools.
“Unfortunately, we need security in our schools. We spent a lot of time a year ago working through challenges that we have seen with police officers in schools. I think we’ve got a very good track record this school year making sure that CPS is in control — that officers are there for a limited purpose. That CPS personnel will deal with ... basic issues regarding students,” Lightfoot said.
“I understand the concern. But I think we’ve struck the right balance. We’ve got a system in place now that works well and shows limited ability of CPD to be in schools. All of that is now in the hands of principals and CPS, which is where it should have been from the very beginning.”
Hopefully we can get a swarm of police officers to volunteer to overthrow this tyrant the next election. We need to organize to bring about civilized change. This jerkoff mayor talks about "the new normal" and "fundamental change", we all know what their end game is, and it isn't for the hardworking American. Either we gat off our asses and get proactive or we sit by and watch them destroy our way of life. This is very very serious times we are in.
ReplyDeleteMiddle fingers aren't always bad. What a childish thing to focus on. ๐
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or does Lightfoot look like Beatlejuice?
ReplyDeleteShe does for real Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!
DeleteLightfoot the Clown will now be known as Beetlejuice.
I'm not wearing a mask and will continue to be off on medical! Wearing a mask gives me headaches and makes me dizzy hypoxia.
ReplyDeleteIf wearing a mask gives you hypoxia, you have serious health problems. As a matter of fact I doubt you meet the physical requirements to do whatever it is that you do. When your not out on "medical" that is
DeleteCan still pass a POWER test unlike many of my fellow Officers my Dr. thinks wearing a mask hinders my ability to be a Police Officer I'm not being forced to wear one.
DeleteWhy cant we just wear face shields can still breathe properly?
DeleteIf you can still pass the Power Test you certainly will not have any untoward effects from wearing a mask. I say bs on the hypoxia, dizziness and headaches. I wonder if your doctor could back up his findings in a scientific manner. I say bs. Get back to work.
DeleteNever admit that's you in a picture there are thousands of Officers many who look similar to you!
ReplyDeleteShe is the epitome of the pot calling the kettle black. Boo hook. Some prorester got flipped off. Big effin deal
ReplyDelete"Sistah" Lori Stop Cussing and Start Listening
ReplyDeleteChicago Crusader
June 5, 2020
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I take a finger over getting whacked by a nightstick any day of the week
ReplyDeleteThis mayor has shown intolerance and disrespect of others under far less stressful circumstances. Remember the FOP representative that attended the city council meeting when she was unaware her mic was on. "Here comes that FOP clown". Or how about the time she disparaged a citizen who attended a council meeting and raised a question about policy? And of course the latest "coded" comment to the President. She's had police command and streets and san towing cars belonging to church attendees but does absolutely nothing about the looters. Threatening everyone under the sun. Want to see her attitude towards others, google Lori Lightfoot's yelp review and read how she disparaged a limo driver she claimed used her bathroom and whizzed on the toilet seat. She has neither the patience or ability to keep herself in check while expecting others, under far more stressful circumstances to do so. And my bets are the Police Superintendent won't last a year, unless of course, he's dumber than he looks.
ReplyDeleteThis is the time NOW to work on a reasonable candidate who would be acceptable to the votes in Chicago....perhaps a moderate white or Hispanic...or if you can find one, a moderate Black candidate....but Matt needs to start speaking up for all his people in our Ward! Just last week I was STILL rooting for Lori....no more. She has shown in her last statement attacking the police who flipped the bird to protesters, and to the supposedly white (Hispanic too?) people in Bridgeport who simply took to the streets to PROTECT their area from widespread out of control looters and "protesters", as well as Hispanic groups who were accused of not making "black people feel welcome" in their community, that she thinks those are the real problems....meanwhile, in a total example of irony, our downtown and businesses burned to the ground. She is rooted in leftist, radicalism and has no business running a giant city like Chicago...
DeleteBridgeport is about evenly integrated, among Whites, LatinX and Asians. ๐
ReplyDeleteCorrecto mundo!
DeleteTrue Eddie...I did not mean to exclude any Asians who may have been in attendance for the "Protect Bridgeport from crazed radicals and opportunistic, violent criminals Rally" :)
ReplyDelete