A group of retired Chicago police officers on Wednesday joined calls for a federal probe into the Chicago Police Department's practices following the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
"We’re not here today to bash anyone, we’re not here today to start an uproar. We’re here to get justice," said former officer Richard Wooten.
The group called for investigations into the police department as well as the Independent Police Review Authority, the organization tasked with investigating allegations of police misconduct.
The officers' calls come one day after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Chicago Urban League asked for the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to investigate the department's practices.
One retired Chicago police sergeant claimed during the Wednesday news conference that the alleged misconduct seen in the city’s police department during the McDonald case “has been going on for years."
The only difference now, he says, is that it is being caught on camera.
“You have unions that, whenever there's a police shooting, they give you a story that makes the public think in every case of a policeman shooting someone that a male black subject was running down the street holding his pants and he turned around and aimed a gun at a policeman,” said retired sergeant Michael Davis. “Never in my career have I chased someone who had a gun and they turned around and aimed at me. You chase someone with a gun, they're going to run and throw that gun away.”
Davis, speaking with the group of retired African American police officers, many of whom worked in the department for decades, warned that there have been other shootings in the city “worse than the shooting of Laquan.”
McDonald was fatally shot 16 times by an officer in October 2014. Police initially said the officer involved in the shooting, who has since been charged with first-degree murder, was defending himself and that McDonald lunged at him with a knife. Dashcam video released last month, however, showed the teen apparently walking away from officers when he was shot.
On Tuesday, one week after the dashcam video's release, Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, saying he had “become an issue rather than dealing with the issue.” Emanuel also announced the creation of a police accountability task force.
“We don't need mayors and the so-called Independent Police Review Authority covering up for these guys and this panel the mayor created is more of the same,” Davis said.
His statement was echoed by other officers in the group.
Davis noted that there are “thousands of excellent officers, but a few criminal policemen on the streets.”
“There are a lot of policemen who want to speak out on this,” he said. “As policemen there are orders that you cannot violate, one of them is bringing attention to something in the police department that casts them in a negative light. The unions and some other policemen would view them with contempt. As retired police officers, we don’t have to be silent. We can tell you the truth.”
April, 2016
March, 2016
February, 2016
2/11/16 Police Documents Show Why No Audio In McDonald Shooting
2/10/16 Ward Room Campaign Round-Up: Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Square Off
2/10/16 City Expected to Settle Police Hiring Lawsuit
2/8/16 Alvarez Battles Opponents During Editorial Board Endorsement Sessions
2/8/16 Aldermen Halt Emanuel’s Plan to Raise Smoking Age
2/8/16 Garry McCarthy Being Considered for Top Cop Job in London: Report
2/5/16 Mom of Teen Fatally Shot by Police Calls for Federal Probe
2/4/16 Aldermen Look to Improve City's Mental Health Services
2/4/16 Report: CTU Garners Triple the Support of Emanuel
2/4/16 Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia Endorses Kim Foxx for State’s Attorney
2/4/16 Ward Room Campaign Round-Up: Week 2
2/2/16 Alvarez Holds Lead in Latest State’s Attorney Poll
2/1/16 Foxx Blasts Alvarez's Handling of McDonald Shooting in Campaign Ad
2/1/16 Many Iowa Republicans Undecided Before Caucuses
2/1/16 Rahm Emanuel’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low: Report
January, 2016
1/26/16 Emanuel Mandates Police to Receive Training on Mental Illness
1/26/16 Van Dyke's Attorney Says He Plans to Seek a Change of Venue
1/26/16Zopp Calls for Reforms to Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice System
1/26/16 Alvarez Challenged by Opponents During State's Attorney Debate
1/29/16 Police Developing New Strategy to Combat Crime, Emanuel Says
1/26/16 DC Police Chief Not Interested in Top Job With Chicago PD
1/25/16 Retired Philadelphia Police Chief Returns to Advise CPD
1/22/16 2 Officers in Laquan McDonald Case Put on Administrative Leave
1/21/16 Judge OKs Court Cameras for Jason Van Dyke Trial
1/19/16Aldermen Propose Equipping Every Chicago Officer With a Taser
1/17/16Bill Could Make it Harder for Police to Prevent Release of Videos
1/17/16 Hillary Clinton Walks Back Support for Emanuel
1/17/16Anita Alvarez Defends Herself at State's Attorney Forum
1/15/16Cops Called to Testify Before Grand Jury in McDonald Case
1/14/16Cook County Dems Endorse Foxx for State's Attorney
1/13/16Lawyer Blasts IPRA as Less Than Independent
1/13/16Chicago Withdraws Objection to Release of Shooting Video
1/13/16 Chicago Police Street Stops May Have Decreased Due to New Form Procedure
1/12/16Police Board Holds Meeting on Search for New Top Cop
1/12/16Boycott of Mayor's MLK Invitation Grows
1/12/16More City Leaders Boycott Mayor's MLK Breakfast
1/11/16 Judge to Decide This Week on 2013 Shooting Video's Release
1/10/16WH Chief of Staff: Obama 'Confident' in Emanuel
1/10/16 Chicago Hires Former U.S. Attorney to Review Law Dept.
1/9/16FBI Investigating 2013 Fatal CPD Shooting
1/8/16 McDonald Family Accused City of Intimidating Witnesses: Docs
1/8/16Cook County Dems Reopen Slating Process for State's Attorney Race
1/7/16Emanuel Says Law Department Will Be Reviewed
1/7/1622 CPD Officers Disciplined for Improper Use of Dashcams
1/6/16 Ex-Chicago Attorney's Cases Examined After Judge's Ruling
1/5/16 Emanuel Says Federal Probe of City's Law Dept. Not Needed
1/5/16Reparations Paid in Chicago Police Torture Case
1/5/16 Top City Lawyer Steps Down After Judge Rules He Hid Evidence
1/4/16 Sharon Fairley Restructures IPRA Leadership Team
1/3/16Ill. Considers Allowing Recall Attempts of Chicago Mayor
December, 2015
12/31/15City Releases Emails on Laquan McDonald Shooting
12/31/15Activists March to Remember Victims of Gun Violence in 2015
12/30/15 Emanuel Meets With Family of Mother Killed in Police-Involved Shooting
12/30/15Emanuel on New Taser Policy: 'Force Can Be the Last Option'
12/30/15Emanuel to Announce Chicago Police Plan Wednesday
12/29/15Officer Jason Van Dyke Enters Not Guilty Plea
12/24/15 Audio Reveals Taser Requested in McDonald Shooting
12/24/15 Demonstrators March on Michigan Ave. Over McDonald Shooting
12/23/15 Audio Reveals Taser Requested in McDonald Shooting
12/23/15 Emanuel Lands on List of 'The Worst People of 2015'
12/17/15 Foxx Earns Endorsements Over Embattled Alvarez
12/17/15 Email Reveals First Question to City About Laquan McDonald Video
12/17/15 McCarthy's Tenure Full of Highs and Lows
12/17/15 Politicians, Activists Praise Firing of McCarthy
12/17/15 John Escalante Named Interim Chicago Police Superintendent
12/17/15 Officer Charged in Laquan McDonald's Death Posts Bond
12/17/15 Rep. Gutierrez Withdraws Support for Alvarez's Re-Election
12/17/15 McCarthy: Initial Release on McDonald Shooting 'Mistaken'
12/17/15 McCarthy Fired Week After McDonald Shooting Video Released
12/17/15 NAACP: 10 Arrested at Protest Outside City Hall
12/17/15 Photos Show Officer at Burger King Night of McDonald's Death
12/17/15 Mayor Goes Silent After Release of Laquan McDonald Video
12/17/15 Anita Alvarez Responds to Calls for Her Resignation
12/17/15 Demands to Fire McCarthy Grow in Wake of Protests
12/17/15 Threat That Canceled Classes at UofC Cited McDonald Shooting
12/17/15 Fraternal Order of Police Raises Bond Money for Van Dyke
12/17/15 NAACP Members Protest Laquan McDonald Shooting
12/17/15 Dwyane Wade Pays Tribute to Laquan McDonald on Shoes
12/17/15 Chicago to Expand Police Body Camera Program
12/17/15 4 Arrested in Magnificent Mile Protests
12/17/15 Mag Mile Reopens After Protesters Block Traffic, Stores
12/17/15 Protesters March at City Hall for Laquan McDonald, Tyshawn Lee
12/17/15 Obama 'Deeply Disturbed' by Video of McDonald's Shooting
12/17/15 What Chicago Police Said The Night Laquan McDonald Died
12/11/15 'Change Is Needed': McDonald Family Speaks Out
12/11/15Pastors Seek Special Prosecutor in McDonald Case
12/10/15Expert: Process of Recalling Rahm 'Not a Quick Possibility'
12/10/15Protesters Continue to Call for Mayor's Resignation
12/10/15Sheriff's Officers Were at Scene of Laquan McDonald Shooting
12/10/15 Expert Says Recalling Mayor Emanuel Would Not Be an Easy Process
12/10/15 Police Board Begins Search for New Chicago Police Superintendent
12/10/15Mayor's Office Responds to Recall Legislation
12/10/15 Illinois Lawmaker Files Legislation to Remove Mayor Emanuel
12/9/15Protesters Block Traffic in March Through Downtown Chicago
12/9/15 Some in City Hall Knew of McDonald Video 2 Months After Shooting: Emails
12/9/15 'Happened on My Watch': Mayor Vows to Fix Police Corruption
12/9/15 Poll: Half of Chicago Voters Think Emanuel Should Resign
12/9/15Chicago Cop Charged With Murder in Teen's Fatal Shooting
12/8/15 IPRA Asks Inspector General to Investigate McDonald Case
12/7/15 Feds Launch Civil Rights Investigation into CPD Practices
12/7/15 Dashcam Video Showing 2nd Police Shooting Released
12/7/15 CPD's Chief of Detectives Retires Suddenly
12/7/15 Head of Independent Police Review Authority Resigns
12/7/15 Justice Department to Investigate CPD
12/6/15 Police Accounts Appear to Differ With McDonald Shooting Video
12/5/15 Officials Release Full Laquan McDonald Police Report
12/4/15 Video From Burger King Near McDonald Shooting Released
12/4/15 Chicago's Interim Cop Talks Potential Federal Probe
12/4/15 Bernie Sanders Calls for Federal Probe of CPD
12/4/15 Rev. Jackson to Lead Laquan McDonald Rally on State Street
12/3/15 Emanuel Flip Flops on DOJ Investigation, Now Supports It
12/3/15 Family Fights to Have Video of Another Teen's Fatal Shooting Released
12/3/15 Mayor: City Will Support Release of Another Dashcam Video
12/3/15 Rauner Says He Cried When He Saw McDonald Video
12/3/15 Anita Alvarez Says 'No Way' She Will Consider Resigning
12/3/15 Retired Officers Say CPD Misconduct 'Going on For Years'
12/2/15 Madigan Calls for Investigation of CPD
12/2/15 Clinton Calls for Federal Probe of Chicago Police Tactics
12/1/15 Mayor Announces Task Force on Police Accountability
12/1/15 McCarthy: Initial Release on McDonald Shooting 'Mistaken'
November, 2015
11/30/15 Photos Show Officer at Burger King Night of McDonald's Death
11/30/15 Officer Charged in Laquan McDonald's Death Posts Bond
11/30/15 Threat That Canceled Classes at UofC Cited McDonald Shooting
11/30/15 Mayor Goes Silent After Release of Laquan McDonald Video
11/30/15 Anita Alvarez Responds to Calls for Her Resignation
11/30/15 Demands to Fire McCarthy Grow in Wake of Protests
11/29/15 Dwyane Wade Pays Tribute to Laquan McDonald on Shoes
11/29/15 Fraternal Order of Police Raises Bond Money for Van Dyke
11/28/15 Protesters March at City Hall for Laquan McDonald, Tyshawn Lee
11/28/15 4 Arrested in Mag Mile Protests
11/27/15 What Chicago Police Said the Night Laquan McDonald Died
11/27/15 Protesters Shut Down Mag Mile After Dash-Cam Video Release
11/26/15 Laquan McDonald Was Trying to Start Over: School
11/26/15 4 New Dash-Cam Videos Released of Laquan McDonald Shooting
11/26/15 Arrests Made After Protesters Damage City Christmas Tree
11/26/15 Obama 'Deeply Disturbed' by Video of McDonald's Shooting
11/25/15 Clinton, Sanders Speak Out After Release of Laquan McDonald Video
11/25/15 Chicago NAACP Chapters Call for Investigation Into IPRA
11/25/15 Protesters Plan March on Michigan Avenue on Black Friday
11/15/15 Calls for Mayor's Resignation Flood Social Media After Dash-Cam Video Release
11/25/15 Chicago Braces for Protests Following Dash-Cam Video Release
11/25/15 Charges Dropped Against Influential Activist After Arrest
11/25/15 Timeline: What Prosecutors Say Happened the Night Laquan McDonald Was Shot
11/25/15 Chicago's Black Caucus Calls for McCarthy's Release
11/25/15 5 Arrested During Overnight Protests for Laquan McDonald
11/24/15 Records Show Officer in McDonald Case Had Previous Complaints
11/24/15 CPS Offers Counseling After Released of McDonald Video
11/24/15 Protesters March After Release of Laquan McDonald Video
11/24/15 WARNING: Dash-Cam Video Showing Teen's Fatal Shooting Released
11/24/15 Alvarez Addresses Missing Minutes From Security Video
11/24/15 Alvarez Gives Minute-by-Minute Report of Teen's Fatal Shooting
11/24/15 Family of Laquan McDonald Asks for 'Calm' Upon Release of Dash-Cam Video
11/24/15 Alvarez Defends Timing of Charges in Laquan McDonald Case
11/24/15 GoFundMe Removes Page Seeking Donations for Chicago Cop Charged With Murder
11/24/15 Chicago Cop Charged With Murder in Teen's Fatal Shooting
11/23/15 Community Leaders Call for Peace Ahead of Potential Unrest
11/23/15 Who Was Laquan McDonald?
11/23/15 Officer to Be Indicted in Laquan McDonald Case: Source
11/21/15 Jesse Jackson Speaks Out on Laquan McDonald
11/20/15 Attorney: Cop Accused in Teen's Fatal Shooting 'Scared to Death'
11/19/15 Judge Orders Release of Video Showing Teen's Shooting Death
11/18/15 Ill. Attorney General Asks Chicago to Release Shooting Video
11/14/15 Emanuel: Hold Release of Video of Shooting
11/13/15 Chicago Police Dashboard Cameras Questioned in Death of Teen Shot by Cop
October, 2015
10/28/15 Judge to Rule on Video Showing Officer Fatally Shooting Teen
July, 2015
7/16/15 Audio Missing on Video of Teen Shot by Cops: Attys
7/9/15 City Emails Refer to Complications in Police Version of How Teen Was Shot
7/2/15 Six Chicago Officer Named in Settlement Agreement
May, 2015
5/27/15 Missing Minutes From Security Video Raises Question
5/12/15 CPD Failed to Properly Probe Death of Teen Shot by Cop: Suit
4/15/15 Chicago Council Approves $5M Settlement in Police Shooting
4/14/15 Feds Probe Death of Teen Shot 16 Times by Cop
October, 2014
10/21/14 Teen Shot, Killed by Police Officer on Chicago's Southwest Side