One high-ranking officer caught up in the scandal, Anthony Wojcik, retired in May.
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The police officer’s statements related to the incident violate a rule that prohibits “making a false report, written or oral”, Guglielmi said in a statement.
“I appreciate Supt. Johnson’s thoughtful review of the Inspector General’s report, and I fully support his decisions”. Officers were advised of Johnson’s decision via email. Two other officers cited in the IG report have since retired, the Chicago Police Department said, and the other officers have been relieved of their police powers.
The officer who shot McDonald 16 times, Jason Van Dyke, was charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial.
Mr Van Dyke claimed that he fired his gun in self-defense as McDonald lunged towards him, and after McDonald had been shot to the ground, he tried to rise from the pavement, pointing a knife, and was sacked at again. McNaughton had signed off on the story of the shooter, Jason Van Dyke, story that he feared for his life when he shot McDonald.
The dashboard camera video of the shooting death sparked widespread protests and revealed an entrenched “code of silence” among officers who had lied about the incident in an effort to cover it up. The graphic footage shows Van Dyke shooting the teen execution-style as he walked away. Regardless, multiple officers at the scene reported that McDonald was walking threateningly toward them, and one officer even claimed McDonald swung the knife at them.
Van Dyke was immediately charged with first-degree murder but was later freed on bail. He’s now awaiting trial.
A spokesman for Emanuel and the president of the local police union did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “When the witnesses refused to do so, the investigating officers simply fabricated civilian accounts in the reports”.
Van Dyke’s partner, Joseph Walsh, told an investigator that he repeatedly yelled “Drop the knife!” at McDonald and backed up as the teenager advanced at the officers. The footage had been withheld until past year when a court ordered its release.
Chicago City Council Black Caucus Chair Ald.
Johnson will take his recommendation to the city’s police board, which will make the final decision. The unidentified officers will also have a chance to contest their firings before Chicago’s Police Board.
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Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office fought for much of a year to keep the video of the shooting under wraps, but a judge forced its release late last year.
