Chicago police recommend firing of 7 cops for false reports

Of 10 officers who were investigated over their roles in the McDonald shooting, seven were accused of making false reports or false statements, police spokesman Frank Giancamilli said in a phone interview on Thursday.

Dean Angelo spoke in a Thursday phone interview after Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced that recommendation.

Escalante, chief of detectives at the time of the shooting who was promoted to first deputy superintendent the month before the video was released, became interim superintendent in December as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to restore trust in both the department and his own administration.

The Chicago Police Board, which determines the punishment in police disciplinary cases, will now consider firing the officers in question.

The officers portrayed McDonald as waving a knife threateningly before Officer Jason Van Dyke shot the black teenager.

The officers facing possible discipline either provided or approved accounts that differed from what the video shows about the incident. 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. He says “humans” experience traumatic situations differently and that, “contrary to popular belief, police officer are human beings”. Video released a year ago shows Officer Jason.

But the video belies those accounts. He adds the action gives credence to allegations of a cover-up.

Johnson will take his recommendation to the city’s police board, which will make the final decision on whether to fire the officers.

Also Tuesday, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the city’s inspector general had delivered a report on the McDonald shooting, but did not provide details on any conclusions or recommendations contained in the report. According to the press statement obtained by The New York Times, Johnson recommended their termination because they allegedly filed false reports.

Though he plead not guilty, Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in November 2015. At the time, the department said Van Dyke shot McDonald in fear of his life, after the teen lunged at officers with a knife.

A police report says officers had been “on high alert of terrorist activity” on the Fourth of July when they spotted Al-Matar wearing a backpack and exhibiting what it described as “suspicious behavior”.