Crime & Safety
Chicago Cop Who Flipped Off Protesters Should Be Fired: Mayor
Chicago cop photographed displaying two middle fingers to protesters in Lincoln Park should be fired," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
CHICAGO — A cop photographed displaying two middle fingers to protesters and any officer who conceals their badge and name tags have"forfeited their right to be Chicago police officers," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday.
A Block Club Chicago reporter tweeted a picture of a police officer extending both middle fingers at protesters marching in Lincoln Park Thursday. Police said the misconduct allegation is being investigated.
Here's a clearer photo of the officer pic.twitter.com/W9APOtT28b
— Colin Boyle (@colinbphoto) June 4, 2020
“We’ll find that person and, in my view, that person needs to be immediately stripped of their police powers and start the process for firing them,” Lightfoot said at a news conference. “We will not tolerate that kind of abusive, offensive conduct on the part of police officers. Period.”
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Boyle also tweeted a video of a police officer putting his badge in the pocket of his protective vest, which did not include his name tag. Police regulations require officers to display their badge and name tag.
Protesters ask one police officer outside the training academy why he is not wearing a badge or body camera, so as a journalist I followed up with the same questions as I saw him put away his badge. This was his response. pic.twitter.com/G5TrUlku8c
— Colin Boyle (@colinbphoto) June 5, 2020
Lightfoot said a vast majority of Chicago's 13,400 officers are doing their job the right way.
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"Unfortunately we've seen some, and I think a few, who have dishonored their badge," the mayor said. "They will be dealt with accordingly."
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