Based on Van Dyke’s version of events, which was backed up by his colleagues at the scene, authorities had quickly deemed McDonald’s death a “justifiable homicide” within hours of the incident.
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He didn’t address reporters Thursday after the hearing. “As I have said before, with every decision that I make, I always keep in mind the tremendous sacrifice, bravery and commitment of every officer”.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced the recommendations in a statement Thursday.
Dean Angelo Sr., the head of the Chicago police union, defended the officers. In 2015, a judge ordered the city to release the tape of the shooting, which contradicted multiple police reports that McDonald was wielding a knife and swung at the officers in an “aggressive, exaggerated manner”.
But the video belies those accounts. He said their interpretation of what unfolded may have been accurate from their perspective, noting that perceptions can be affected in high-stress situations, like shootings. “And contrary to popular belief, police officers are human beings”.
Chicago’s police superintendent recommended seven police officers be fired over the Laquan McDonald shooting cover-up.
But community activists praised Johnson’s announcement, saying the rare move shows he is serious about overhauling department practices. The footage showed Chicago officer Jason Van Dyke, who is white, shooting McDonald 16 times-several shots were fired while McDonald lay wounded on the ground.
Mr Van Dyke, the only officer who fired his gun in the incident, has pleaded not guilty.
The Rev. Greg Livingston says seeking dismissals is right but should have happened sooner.
As for the seven unnamed officers, Johnson has already stripped them of their police status and will take his recommendation to the city’s police board, which will determine if the officers will be fired.
Eddie Johnson plans to recommend termination for seven officers who filed false reports after the 2014 police killing of Laquan McDonald. Johnson’s recommendation will go to the city’s Police Board for a final decision.
Officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder in the 2014 shooting death of McDonald. Footage of the shooting was made public late previous year and sparked outrage nationwide.
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The inspector general’s report centered on the actions of 10 officers. A lieutenant involved in the department’s response to the shooting, Anthony Wojcik, retired in May, while David McNaughton, the deputy chief who ruled Van Dyke’s shooting complied with departmental policy, retired this week just as it became publicly known that the inspector general’s office had delivered its report.
