UNBELIEVABLE: John catanzara - Caught on Camera

Arbitrator reaffirms police disciplinary ruling, urges City Council to rethink rejection

Arbitrator Edwin Benn said state law guarantees Chicago police officers accused of the most serious wrongdoing the right to bypass the Police Board in favor of arbitration. Benn also criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson and the 33 City Council members who rejected his earlier ruling.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 4, 2024

Split decision for police union: Council committee OKs contract extension, rejects arbitrator’s ruling on cop discipline

Over strong objection from the Fraternal Order of Police and its Council allies, the committee voted to reject an arbitrator’s ruling that would allow officers accused of serious wrongdoing to bypass the Police Board and hold proceedings behind closed doors.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 7, 2023

Who should decide the fate of Chicago’s most serious police misconduct cases?

A City Council panel this week could allow the main union for cops to contest firings and long suspensions behind closed doors.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 6, 2023

Outgoing Police Board president urges City Council to reject arbitrator’s ruling, says it would undermine police reform

The ruling would allow Chicago police officers accused of the most serious wrongdoing to bypass the board and take their cases to an arbitrator behind closed doors.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 17, 2023

Cop resistance undercuts justice reform

Police unions labeled DAs soft on crime while lawmakers made legislative efforts to remove them from office

Salon · Oct 11, 2023

No evidence Chicago cops engaged in sexual misconduct with migrants, probe finds

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Friday said investigators were unable to find any victims of the alleged abuse.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 29, 2023

Police board rejects push to move misconduct cases behind closed doors after arbitrator’s decision

The ruling prompted rebuke from FOP President John Catanzara, who said the union is “going to encourage these officers and maybe even assist them in suing the city, the police board and everybody.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 27, 2023

Democrats blast House Republicans for planned forum on Chicago crime instead of working to avert a government shutdown

Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee plan to blame violent crime in Chicago on Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx at a Tuesday forum at the city’s Fraternal Order of Police office.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 25, 2023

Congestion, chaos from Mexican Independence Day crowds must be addressed, City Council members say

A downtown parade or festival would help Chicago avoid sporadic, ad hoc celebrations citywide that jammed streets and caused all sorts of problems.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 19, 2023

City Council members urge colleagues to reject ruling that would keep serious police misconduct hearings out of public view

“Let’s not take steps back,” Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th) told reporters Thursday. “Let’s keep working together to make sure that cops are held accountable.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 14, 2023