The latest blemish on the Chicago Police Department’s image came to light Thursday – a 43-year-old police officer accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
William Greenwood has been on the CPD payroll for nine years. He’s accused of multiple assaults on a girl who’s about 16 years old, the Sun-Times reported.
Greenwood is charged with criminal sexual assault and has been relieved of his police powers. He was arrested Wednesday and is being held on $350,000 bond.
The CPD tried to keep Greenwood's name from getting out, refusing to officially release it, the Tribune noted. The CPD said its contract with the Fraternal Order of Police trumps state law. The name had to be confirmed through other sources. The Cook County Sheriff's Department released a mug shot.
It’s important to remember that these are just accusations at this point, and Greenwood is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Greenwood is the first officer to be accused of sexual assault in quite some time. Most of the recent charges against officers have involved violence, like the bar beating Anthony Abbate was convicted of, or the fight at the Jefferson Tap Bar that three different officers were acquitted of. There are two outstanding cases against Chicago officers involved in fatal car crashes, Richard Bolling and Joseph Frugoli.
Greenwood is also an Army veteran and former Mount Vernon police officer.
