FOP President John Catanzara To Retire From CPD, Run For Mayor

CHICAGO — After a combative hearing to determine whether John Catanzara can remain a Chicago police officer, the union head decided he would make the decision himself. He plans to retire from the department, and has instead set his sights on the mayor's office.

“It was pretty evident very early on that this cake was already baked,” Catanzara said, according to NBC Chicago. “I am going to be at HR first thing in the morning, and I am going to be retiring. I will no longer be a Chicago police officer.”

“There was never a possibility under God’s green Earth that I was ever going to give this mayor the ability to utter the words ‘I fired him,’” Catanzara continued, adding that he plans to challenge that mayor -- Lori Lightfoot -- in the 2023 Chicago mayoral race.

Catanzara is accused of making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks on social media, as well as falsifying a police report. He said he plans to serve out the remainder of his term as president of the Fraternal Order of Police.

READ MORE: FOP Pres. John Catanzara Pleads 'Not Liable' At Hearing Monday