Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Dubious Distinction

  • The first time Chicago police Officer Marco Proano shot someone, he was given a department commendation. Less than a year later, when Proano fatally shot a teen outside an overcrowded dance party, he was rewarded with the superintendent’s award for valor.

    But Proano’s third on-duty shooting in a three-year span earned him a much more dubious distinction on Monday: Five years in prison. Proano, 42, who was convicted of excessive force for firing 16 times into a moving vehicle filled with teens in December 2013, became the first Chicago police officer in decades, if not ever, to be sentenced to federal prison for an on-duty shooting.

    In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman said that Proano’s actions that night — caught on police dashboard camera video — were “exceptionally unjustified” and an insult to hardworking officers who serve and protect. Two of the teens were wounded, but all five in the vehicle were lucky they weren’t killed, the judge said. “Mr. Proano was not maintaining the ‘thin blue line’ that separates us from anarchy, and chaos and violence,” Feinerman said. “He was bringing the chaos and violence. He was the source of it.”
We weren't there. 99% of our readers weren't there either. He was tried in a court of law and found culpable for actions deemed inappropriate - illegal. We have no idea about appeals on tap or anything from this point forward. We do know that we saw very few comments as the trial date approached and as the trial was underway. The most comments we had were regarding his weapon handling (sideways).

The media take is seldom the correct one but we're sure this will be used as a club to beat the department with, regardless of the judge's understanding of the verdict.

Labels:

54 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now that the case has been adjudicated (barring appeals etc) lets use this video as a training resource. What to do, what not to do, what could have been done, etc. Why is it so taboo to speak of CPD videos involving shootings. Dept shows us all the time what happened in Texas, or Utah, or anywhere else but here. Many of those videos really don't relate to the urban environment we deal with here. Show the video and discuss it. Promote thought, dialect, discussion.

11/22/2017 12:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My mother always said, "if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all."

That may explain the super low comments.

Sorry Bro,

Cara is a bitch! She don't forget.

11/22/2017 12:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am always fascinated when a comment starts with i was not there?

A great amount of a police officers career is to determine what happens when WE ARE NOT THERE.

Everyone has been warned FETAL is the new normal.

Sad but the paper was not very tight on this shooting.

11/22/2017 12:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That guy is fucked... but then again, my GF had a friend who did 2 years federal Time for tax fraud or something dumb at the federal pen outside of Detroit Michigan. She said 2 years federal was no problem. She was more scared of doing state. Either way fuck doing time. Be careful and don't do nothing you can not justify. And someone research a better fucking lawyer than Herbert. Being a cop does not equal great lawyer.

11/22/2017 12:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sure this will frequently come
up during contract negotiations

11/22/2017 12:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pendejo. Period.

11/22/2017 12:51:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cop makes one mistake and gets launched. Repeat violent criminals with over 20 felony convictions are walking the street.

11/22/2017 12:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Dubious Distinction"

=

Deliberate dearth of firearms training,
both live fire and simulated in order to
save budgeted monies that are then diverted
toward everywhere else except for Police Training.

"We don't have money for that stuff
so let the Coppers watch a streaming video
and we can mark them off as "Trained.""

Criminal Negligence and Willful/Deliberate failure
to maintain standards by the Mayor and CPD Command.

And such as that is, individual Policemen will
find themselves picked-off, ass-out and in the cold
due to the city's negligence.

Is there anybody NOT seeing what the city is doing?

11/22/2017 01:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about the actions of the drive of the car. What about failing to obey lawful police officers commands. This is what put everything into motion. I always hear about post traumatic stress disorder? They rotate military troops in and out of the combat zone. The CPD gives spots to do nothing's. What about officers in shootings and working bad districts extra? It seems like they set officers up for failure. I understand firing people from their job for braking the rules however, sending someone to jail who had no criminal intentions and was trying to do their job. I'm sure in the fog of war it's common to fuck up. What ever happened to the totality of the situation. What about the bad guy putting the good guy in a bad situation. All I can say is watch your back, you are as only good as your last job, you are only one job away from losing everything and this job does NOT have your back!

I'm Leaving this State as soon as I can retire! Good luck and don't become a casualty of the DemocRAT war on Police!

11/22/2017 01:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is this time-bomb still doing traffic stops? 3 shootings within 3 years, give me a break. This department will hammer you over a city sticker/traffic court and clear an idiot who has a history of reckless behavior.

11/22/2017 01:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, could we expect any less?

11/22/2017 02:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

if things get bad enough, ACLU will battle
for the right to shoot sideways. it takes a
real pro to manage recoil and aim at the
same time. LAPD gang infiltration unit
actually teaches sideways shootings so
the guys can prove themselves.

11/22/2017 02:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Proano made out well at his sentencing last Monday. It was widely believed he would receive a much longer sentence than what was handed down. Bad decision making, and he is paying the price for it.

11/22/2017 03:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Risk your career and life to stop a stolen car? I wonder if the owner thanked him.

11/22/2017 03:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, this was the sideways shooter? Yep, he looked like a moron. Those poor honor students that he put in danger by making them drive that car to their study group are probably happy about this outcome. If someone's trying to kill you, and you have to fire your weapon upside down, pulling the trigger with your toe, by all means go for it. However, if you have no reason to fire your weapon like you're on the set of an action movie, get a nice two-handed grip on an upright weapon and squeeze the trigger like you've done it before. We should be getting training at the range at least four times a year, along with going to the range to practice on our own time. We shoot like shit, and the department does nothing about it.

11/22/2017 05:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He looked like a fool blasting away at that car on video. No surprise in today's climate that he got convicted.

11/22/2017 05:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like a trigger happy cop. This isn't grandpa's department

11/22/2017 05:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Was the driver of the vehicle held accountable for his actions? Of course not. Everyone in the suspect vehicle got a check from the city. Next time just get out of the way and let these thugs do what they want. As long as the officers go home safe after their shift who cares what happens to these brain dead animals.

11/22/2017 06:16:00 AM  
Blogger Mr. SouthSide said...

Another black eye.

11/22/2017 06:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The judge sounds like a pompous ass.

11/22/2017 07:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder what the estimate was for the bullet holes in the vehicle and what body shop did the work. I was cleaning my gun in the garage and my gun started firing. That 40cal makes some big holes.

11/22/2017 08:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

His lawyer is terrible. Several people have used him to try to get on this job when they were kicked off the list for minor things and he has lost them all. If you need a lawyer, do not use him.

11/22/2017 08:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tough break for proaino but this guys bosses should have slowed him down, seems like he lacked something and we a do dumb things from time to time. I have no faith in Dan Herbert, he screwed up a lawsuit against the city regarding coppers kids and his conviction rate is nlt greaton serious cases. Former po lice or not, i dont think he is great, Van Dyke is in serious trouble and better think about this guy. Just my opinion.

11/22/2017 08:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I watched the video and wondered, were any of the occupants armed, or had shot at anyone. From reading comments, it sounds like this was a stolen vehicle or was it a car jacking. If it was a stolen car, he's fucken crazy. A car jacking, then there's a little room for shooting at a fleeing felon. I wasn't there and I don't have all the facts, but a vehicle loaded with passengers, me personally would not be shooting into the vehicle. Him shooting on the video is troubling and I'm not judging anyone, however, it doesn't help us.

11/22/2017 08:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Connect the dots

11/22/2017 08:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hopefully the retrial will be held in front of someone other than an Obama Communist Party judge!

J.J.

11/22/2017 09:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Take it from one who knows. I am sorry to see Proano go to jail, but he had no valid reason to fire into that car. As someone previously posted “this isn’t your grandfathers police department anymore”. He should thank his lucky stars that he didn’t kill any of the “honor students” riding in the vehicle.

11/22/2017 09:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course we don’t shoot enough. We should be shooting four times a year like the Illinois State Police. But that doesnt stop you from taking some of that uniform allowance money, buying some ammo going to a public range and practicing on your own. Don’t tell me you don’t have time. I work part time jobs, baby sit and have several kids yet i manage to get to a range and practice once every two to three months. It may someday save your life, and range fees are tax deductible.

11/22/2017 10:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From the video when did he start shooting? You see him pointing the gun sideways at what? U can’t tell but u assume the vehicle. Now the vehicle appears to back up at him sooo he starts to shoot-I know he is supposed to move out of the way but his life is being threatened instantly and he has a knee jerk reaction and fires his weapon and keeps firing and unloads the clip—as police we are not allowed to be human-which is bullshit—we make mistakes—it shouldn’t be criminal— doctors make mistakes and chop off the wrong arm or leg even after reviewing all the paperwork—yet they aren’t held criminally— and they don’t have spit second deicisions to make. God Bless this officer! I’m sorry the department isn’t standing by ur side. This department lets the media and the political climate take control of cases. Instead of standing up for our men in blue who risk their lives numerous times a day for strangers! Isn’t there Any Gold Star bosses out there that will stand up against this climate!! Put an order on the books that makes our split seconds decisions not criminal but a case for retraining.

11/22/2017 10:37:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When are we gonna talk about PTSD?
Three shootings? You have people coming home from the other side of the world after one tour being treated for it. Guys like this get stuck in a war zone on the South or West sides for years and they're not affected?
I'm not saying this is what is going on with this guy. But I believe we are all afflicted with some form of PTSD from this job.

11/22/2017 11:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And someone research a better fucking lawyer than Herbert. Being a cop does not equal great lawyer.
11/22/2017 12:45:00 AM

He looks good in a suit and has good presence in court.

11/22/2017 11:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stay fetal, my friends.
In the unlikely event you need more evidence, this is it.

11/22/2017 11:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didn’t a boss and his driver do something similar with a vehicle driving away from them ?
Where is that video?

11/22/2017 11:33:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hate to say this but his attorney was awful. Herbert leaves a lot to be desired. He is at best mediocre. I am not saying Proano would have gotten off scot free but 5 years is excessive. I feel sorry for Proano but who I really feel sorry for is Vandyke. Has Herbert tried a murder case in his career. To think that FOP hired him in the first place is head scratching to begin with. Yea, I know he a former Police Officer but what was his trial experience prior to him being the FOP Attorney. From some of his actions so far with Van Dyke I am really worried about him. One would think that the FOP Legal Team would hire a much more season attorney for Van Dyke. What is the process for assigning attorneys to defend Police Officers? Who makes the final decision? I am not going into the merits if Vandyke should have shot or not shot. He shot him and now he has to deal with his actions. This is going to be one of the or the most serious legal case in the history of the CPD. Does anyone in the FOP understands this? This next question is for whoever runs SSC: Have you thought about what Herbert and his actions so far with Vandyke? Believe me I am not criticizing you, you run a vital service to not only the men and woman of the department but the City of Chicago also. Look at his tactics with Praono. I think every member of the department should ask the same question I am asking. If I was Vandyke I would be worried!!!!!!!!!!!

11/22/2017 11:42:00 AM  
Anonymous I WISH I HAD 2 RECYCLING CANS said...

Good shoot... bad shoot...it doesn't matter. Being a proactive cop in 2017 is like playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded Glock.

11/22/2017 11:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They got a couple more examples they needed and hoping for one more huge landmark trial to go.
You have to wonder if this particular incident, ever at any time, worth a dept commendation.
We are not going to win the COPA loaded dice game.

There was a hotshot merit goof who boasted his familiarity and frequent attendance in Federal Court system.
Obviously he came out unscathed so far as I know, with the City paying out and the bad guys walking.
Real smart guy.

This is Sanctuary City.
Nobody gets appointed to the bench at Federal Court with a mandate to penalize the criminal by the book.
Never expect this to change in the future.
Don’t expect the City to back you up either.

Work Smart.
Bad guys are not seeing jail anymore.
Respect your salary, Pension and Deferred Comp.

11/22/2017 12:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just in time for contract talks.

Timeline: Chicago police controversies during Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration

www.chicagotribune.com

Read the full story



.

11/22/2017 12:41:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
That guy is fucked... but then again, my GF had a friend who did 2 years federal Time for tax fraud or something dumb at the federal pen outside of Detroit Michigan. She said 2 years federal was no problem. She was more scared of doing state. Either way fuck doing time. Be careful and don't do nothing you can not justify. And someone research a better fucking lawyer than Herbert. Being a cop does not equal great lawyer.

11/22/2017 12:45:00 AM

That's precisely the reason why Van Dyke will get convicted. I have nothing against Herbert but Van Dyke needs an experienced trial lawyer if he wants to get acquitted and Herbert doesn't cut it. I don't know if Van Dyke chose Herbert or the FOP chose Herbert for him but Van Dyke has to make a better decision. His life depends on it. The problem is the FOP is paying Herbert and they also got JVD a job so its possible that JVD feels like he has to go along with what the FOP wants.

11/22/2017 02:07:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's that ole saying the third time is always a charm, too bad the twerp murder mayor couldn't surpress the video on this one to save his ass...

11/22/2017 02:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-cop-facebook-comments-20171121-story.html

This is one hell of a meathead. But I was baffled after reading that COPA, citing legal precedent, stated that police officers are subject to greater First Amendment restraints than most citizens. How is that possible? It's unconstitutional. How can someone not be given the same constitutional rights as any other American based solely on what that person does for a living? It's discriminatory. And also when they say 'most citizens' who are they referring to? Who can and can't say certain things? And furthermore, who decides it? Hansen is a meathead but everybody has rights. And everybody, legally, has the right to free speech. Hope he has a good lawyer. COPA is depending on him and every other cop they go after to not have effective representation.

11/22/2017 02:27:00 PM  
Blogger I Fart In Your General Direction said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I am always fascinated when a comment starts with i was not there?

A great amount of a police officers career is to determine what happens when WE ARE NOT THERE.

Everyone has been warned FETAL is the new normal.

Sad but the paper was not very tight on this shooting.

11/22/2017 12:34:00 AM

You're a special kind of stupid, ain'tcha?

The paper could've been "tight" as a snare drum.

However, that means squat when you're on video pumping multiple rounds at/into an occupied vehicle BACKING AWAY FROM YOU.

Go tell some war stories to someone who doesn't know any better, jackass.

11/22/2017 03:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Remeber its cops fault when honor roll students hits cars, hits a person, then drags another...amazing with all cell phones and poll cameras and only small amount of video avaialble...

11/22/2017 03:40:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tough break but this is the world now. For you idiots that still remain active because you want a ribbon slow down and get fetal.

11/22/2017 04:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Herbert is way over his head the FOP better start getting experienced criminal trial attorneys and put Herbert on the bench or more officers will be sent to jail.

11/22/2017 06:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im glad shot spooters are stopping all these car jackings, arm robberies, stolen cars, shootings, murders etc...etc...good shoot bad shoot it will always be someone elses fault and crimimals have become the victims.now.keep drinking the punch!!!

11/22/2017 06:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The guy will go to jail and move on but the hood will never change and the crimimals are just bolder. Divide and conquer stats prove theres a problem on the steets of chiraq but more bike lanes are important.Its a good distraction

11/22/2017 06:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is proof everywhere you turn on what not to do. But you still have these folks running around and chasing. I completely distance myself from these clowns. I was dumb enough to date one of these hard chargers and boy oh boy all you can do is shake your head. Most of us are trying to leave the job while these boys and girls think attention and awards are a good thing.

11/22/2017 08:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a regular citizen who supports the police. My kid is on a suburban PD. In fact I just wrote out a $100 check for the operation Santa program conducted by the CPD memorial foundation. Yes, I like Phil Cline too. I will always give the benefit of doubt to the police but I struggle with this incident and to be truthful, the Van Dyke incident. I read here about staying fetal but the real issue is having an awareness, You have the instinctive innate sense of being careful for your safety but you have to now be aware of your actions and justification of your actions too. Some of these actions are hard to justify so I hope you all will not only be careful but be aware too. Your jobs are very difficult and it ain't like the old days when you just had to be careful handling danger. Thank you for all you do and it is our honor to support you.

11/22/2017 09:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bill Cozzi did 3years for a bitch slap, Proano should consider himself damn lucky.

11/22/2017 10:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shame on Sgt. LS dog ass POS! & that fat range instructor Jameson 2 do nothings that this kid had to face, F them! House mice!

11/23/2017 12:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This time you can't blame Dan Herbert for a fool's actions.
I'm all blue but, sometimes fools, gangsters and even burglars pass the screening and make on to the Department.

However that was one dude who doesn't come come close to representing 99% of my Brothers In Blue.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and Christmas bra.

11/23/2017 01:40:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
His lawyer is terrible. Several people have used him to try to get on this job when they were kicked off the list for minor things and he has lost them all. If you need a lawyer, do not use him.

11/22/2017 08:31:00 AM

It used to be a known fact that in those situations you have to use Ann Burke’s law firm. Worked every time.

11/23/2017 08:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what is the process the FOP is using in selecting it's attorneys? How does the FOP select the attorneys they use to defend Police Officers? Are the attorneys selected on a rotating basis? Are the attorneys selected on the seriousness of the Charges? I have been following the cases of Proano and Vandyke and the attorney who represents both of these Officers appears to have very ill prepared to defend both officers. Someone in FOP, are you listening Kevin, should take a long hard look at this. Herbert is way over his head. How did he get assigned to this case? Whoever assigned him to this case appears to have no clue on the seriousness of the VanDyke charges? If I was VanDyke and my life and my families life was at stake here I would ask for a different attorney. There are several attorneys who are very good that are out there. I don't know if VanDyke reads this web site but if he does he should look at Herbert actions during the Proano trail.

11/23/2017 10:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"" Anonymous said...

When are we gonna talk about PTSD?
Three shootings? You have people coming home from the other side of the world after one tour being treated for it. Guys like this get stuck in a war zone on the South or West sides for years and they're not affected?
I'm not saying this is what is going on with this guy. But I believe we are all afflicted with some form of PTSD from this job.

11/22/2017 11:29:00 AM""

Go ahead and talk about it. You'll be rewarded with a 4 year stint picking up phones in a shit unit with a rubber gun on your side. If you think your having problems the Dept. is the last bunch of assholes you want to talk to. Go to a PVT Doctor and tell nobody.

If you havn't noticed theres a war on Police and the assholes running this outfit are leading the charge. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.

11/24/2017 10:02:00 AM  

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