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McDonald was shot and killed by police officers back in 2014.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is seeking to fire seven officers for allegedly falsifying information in the Laquan McDonald shooting, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Thursday.
Officers were advised of Johnson’s decision via email.
The Independent Police Review Authority delegated the McDonald investigation to the Office of the Inspector General, Guglielmi said.
After reviewing the OIG’s report on the case, the CPD agreed with the recommendation to “submit seven of the officers to the Police Board for separation based upon Rule 14 allegations outlined,” he said.
The seven officers were relieved of their police powers pending the board’s decision.
The OIG also recommended three other officers for separation, but two of those officers retired and the department disagreed with the OIG on the third officer, citing a lack of evidence.
Matt Topic, the attorney with Loevy & Loevy who fought in court to release the McDonald shooting video, applauded Johnson’s decision.
“There has been a code of silence in the Chicago Police Department for a very long time and it’s a positive development. The superintendent seems to be taking that seriously and sending a message to all officers that we are not going to stand for it,” Topic said.
Father Michael Pfleger called Johnson’s move courageous ad bold.
“Supt. Johnson’s only in there a few months and he has taken some strong actions, and I think he is saying this is a new day here and we’ve got to give him a chance,” Pfleger said.
READ MORE: ABC7Chicago.com
Article Courtesy of WLS-TV Chicago
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