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7 Chicago Officers Face Firing Over Laquan McDonald Cover-Up 7 Chicago Officers Face Firing Over Laquan McDonald Cover-Up
(35 minutes later)
CHICAGO — Chicago’s police superintendent called for the firing of seven officers for their response to a colleague’s fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald in 2014, a case that incited widespread protests here and led to accusations of a cover-up.CHICAGO — Chicago’s police superintendent called for the firing of seven officers for their response to a colleague’s fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald in 2014, a case that incited widespread protests here and led to accusations of a cover-up.
The decision by Superintendent Eddie Johnson, announced Thursday morning by a Police Department spokesman, comes nearly two years after Officer Jason Van Dyke fired 16 shots at Mr. McDonald, who was 17 and African-American.The decision by Superintendent Eddie Johnson, announced Thursday morning by a Police Department spokesman, comes nearly two years after Officer Jason Van Dyke fired 16 shots at Mr. McDonald, who was 17 and African-American.
The seven officers were accused of making false reports. Mr. McDonald’s death roiled the city, laying bare longstanding tensions between the police and black Chicagoans. The case has led to increased scrutiny and skepticism of the department, including a Justice Department investigation into Chicago police practices and the firing of the previous police superintendent last year as protests intensified.
Superintendent Johnson’s call to fire the officers broadens the political and departmental fallout, which includes pressure on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to provide more transparency and overhaul the police disciplinary system to break down an entrenched “code of silence” among officers and build public trust.
The seven officers recommended for firing were accused of making false reports.
Officer Van Dyke, the only officer who fired his gun that night, has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial. His account of the shooting, which was corroborated by other officers at the scene, was contradicted by dashboard camera video of the shooting that was released in November under public pressure. Though the teenager had a knife, he seemed to be veering away from the police when Officer Van Dyke shot him, and the gunfire continued after Mr. McDonald collapsed to the ground.Officer Van Dyke, the only officer who fired his gun that night, has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial. His account of the shooting, which was corroborated by other officers at the scene, was contradicted by dashboard camera video of the shooting that was released in November under public pressure. Though the teenager had a knife, he seemed to be veering away from the police when Officer Van Dyke shot him, and the gunfire continued after Mr. McDonald collapsed to the ground.
Superintendent Johnson stripped the police status of the seven officers he recommended firing. But he cannot terminate them unilaterally. The officers, who were not named, will have a chance to contest the action before the city’s Police Board, whose members are appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Superintendent Johnson stripped the police status of the seven officers he recommended firing. But he cannot terminate them unilaterally. The officers, who were not named, will have a chance to contest the action before the city’s Police Board, whose members are appointed by Mr. Emanuel.
The city’s inspector general recommended firing eight officers, said Anthony Guglielmi, a police spokesman. The department “respectfully disagrees” with the recommendation to fire the eighth officer, Mr. Guglielmi said in an email, “and feels that there is insufficient evidence to prove those respective allegations.”The city’s inspector general recommended firing eight officers, said Anthony Guglielmi, a police spokesman. The department “respectfully disagrees” with the recommendation to fire the eighth officer, Mr. Guglielmi said in an email, “and feels that there is insufficient evidence to prove those respective allegations.”
Two other officers mentioned by the inspector general have since retired, Mr. Guglielmi said. The inspector general’s report has not been published.Two other officers mentioned by the inspector general have since retired, Mr. Guglielmi said. The inspector general’s report has not been published.
A spokesman for Mr. Emanuel and the president of the local police union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A spokesman for Mr. Emanuel and the president of the local police union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.