Illinois’ attorney general Tuesday called for an “outside, independent” investigation of the Chicago Police Department, questioning whether some of the department’s recent practices violated federal law.
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A mayoral spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to an email asking if the move comes in response to a rash of protests following the release of a video showing a white police officer shooting black 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times.
Emanuel hired him as police chief after his first choice for the job, former Chicago Deputy Superintendent Charles Ramsey, asked for a salary of over $400,000.
“So many people in Chicago were upset by Laquan McDonald’s execution that McCarthy had to go”, Davis said.
Although the teenager in the footage doesn’t appear to confront the officers, several of whom had weapons drawn on him, Van Dyke opens fire within seconds, gunning McDonald down. Hundreds of protesters have marched through Chicago since the video’s release; on Friday, they blocked stores along the city’s premier retail stretch.
“This is not the end of the problem, but it is the beginning of the solution to the problem”, Emanuel said in a message to Escalante Tuesday, according to NBC. Black leaders and editorial writers in the city had called for the superintendent’s firing. Right before the video’s release, prosecutors announced they would charge Van Dyke with murder.
Mayor Emanuel also announced the creation of a new police accountability task force for Chicago.
“Now is the time for fresh eyes and new leadership”, Emanuel said.
One week ago, Chicago Mayor Rahn Emanuel and Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy stood shoulder-to-shoulder at a press conference after a judge ordered the release of a dashcam video.
It took 14 months for Chicago authorities to release the videotape of an officer killing Laquan McDonald. Mr. Van Dyke’s lawyer said he was acting to protect others.
Former Bay State governor and Chicago native Deval Patrick has been tapped by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to advise a task force reviewing the oversight and training of the city’s police force as Chicago reels from the shooting death of a 17-year-old at a cop’s hand.
Van Dyke, 37, was released from jail on Monday after posting bond on a $1.5 million bail.
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Futterman says there also is evidence that police not only withheld the video but erased nearby private security camera footage that night, and purportedly intimidated eyewitnesses into silence.
