Chicago mayor faces FOIA and recall

Police originally claimed that McDonald had lunged at officers with a knife, but the dash-cam footage released last month showed no such risky move. It’s the first time the Department of Justice has set its signs on the Chicago Police Department, making it the 23rd police unit to be similarly investigated since the beginning of the Obama administration. Even as Rahm “proclaimed the arrival of a fresh new era of sincerity and openness concerning policing in Chicago”, a plot for his recall is hatched, while a freedom of infomation request seeks evidence of another possible murder by the Chicago Police.

The intent of the investigation is to take a close look at the use of force by the police department following the release of the video showing the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

The group that met with Emanuel included Chicago U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, Vanita Gupta, who heads the Justice Department’s civil rights division, and other attorneys and staff from the Justice Department’s Washington, D.C., office, according to Joseph Fitzpatrick, spokesman for Fardon.

They’ll also go through thousands of police records. At time of the McDonald shooting, as the Commander of Area Central’s Bureau of Detectives, Roy’s department was in charge of the investigation. But sometimes, the sides disagree on critical provisions and must fight it out in court.

Van Dyke’s attorney, Daniel Herbert, did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Attorneys for the McDonald family said the video depicts Officer Van Dyke firing 16 shots at Laquan as the teen backed away from the officer.

The mayor said he supports the federal investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s use of force and will cooperate fully. Investigators will also conduct town hall meetings.

Officer Van Dyke has been free on bail after posting $1.5 million shortly after the initial charge was brought, and he is expected back in court on Friday to plead not guilty to the seven-count indictment, local media reported.