COPA Again
- Two Chicago Police officers have been recommended for termination for firing at a car as part of traffic stop just before the fatal 2016 shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Paul O’Neal.
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson “concurred with the findings” of investigators with the now-defunct Independent Police Review Authority, and in November 2017 recommended officers Michael Coughlin Jr. and Jose Torres for firing, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.
Two other officers involved — including the one who fired the fatal shots — were not recommended for firing by IPRA, Guglielmi said.
Readers may recall that the videos of this incident were disturbing to say the least. One of the involved officers is seen firing across the car toward where his partner was standing, then firing downrange where bullets hit an approaching squad car. This led directly to the officers in that car to assume they were being shot at by occupants of the fleeing vehicle and eventually shooting and killing the unarmed subject.
There's no getting around that this was ugly on many fronts and ran counter to numerous orders. The process grinds forward.
There's no getting around that this was ugly on many fronts and ran counter to numerous orders. The process grinds forward.
posted by SCC at 12:02 AM
49 Comments:
It's amazing that several officers didn't kill each other that day. I still cringe when I watch that video. Gun in hand while driving... pushing officer over the fence with gun on his back. Bad all around.
Those guys are TOAST.
Fire the dumbasses. What a sloppy clusterfuck that was. Embarrassing to say the least
I bet my right nut that these guys get fired... Rham and Kidney Bean have already spoke with COPA... so you know where this is going in a few weeks
I hate to say it but, that's what happens when you try to do Police work. More casualties ion the war with Police.
Ok... what happened to the Cop who shot at his partner— the one who had his gun out in the squad. And what happened to the Cop who was being shot at by his future SGT partner who was the fastest shot in 004
I'm sure this is going to go over well. No one cares. To the hard chargers this is what awaits you; death, jail, injuries and no job. Oh, and if you don't die a messed up life!
It isn't worth it. Stay safe. Read between the lines; go to your jobs and go home.
The passenger should be fired for shooting his weapon. There could have been kids out there not to mention shooting directly in the direction of his partner and other responding officers. For what? A stolen car? That video is actually hard to watch!
Even more disturbing the Officer was more distraught over the possibility his gross negligence would land him on desk duty.
Fast Eddie won't be able to concur
on anything anymore
COPA is a wild untamed beast but in this case it’s hard to disagree with the Supt. They put their fellow officers in harms way
Shit... this job was once a career. Today you almost have to fear getting fired for a call gone wrong. Or getting fucked off the job by other means-- medical and health related or even asshole related -- assholes I mean Rham and his minions
If ever someone deserves to be fired it's these two. Lucky no other officer hit by friendly fire. These guys should be toast.
One of the only legit reasons for animosity by civilians and such an anti police sentiment these days is because cops back cops even when we're wrong. Sometimes we have to admit there are cops on this job that are idiots and should not be the police. This is one of those times. There is no reason for them to shoot at a moving vehicle. God help us all if they stay on this job.
Can't blame COPA for this finding, SCC. I think that privately, a whole lot of officers out in the field wouldn't want to work with any of the bozos attached to that fiasco. Horrible on many fronts, and there is simply no way that Johnson could defend keeping the two recommended for firing on the job. Cut your ties and move on for a truly embarrassing moment for our team, caught on video for the whole world to see.
A collage of training blunders on many fronts. Good riddance, I say.
This job is not for everyone.
All should be fired the job of police work is OVER ! I would bet none had over 5years
All police shooting cases are to be reopened. COPA is out for blood.
If this was such an obvious clusterfuck, why was it left to the now defunct IPRA and now COPA to recommend these two be fired?
Wouldn't the same conclusion and recommendations be reached by an internal investigation? Not trying to be an ass, it's a real question.
J.J.
This is whay happens when young P.O.s are not properly trained and left to train themselves with eleven other PPOs in the PEZ for over a year and a half.
Then given a squad car and told to "go get'm"
What else did you expect?
Anonymous said...
I hate to say it but, that's what happens when you try to do Police work. More casualties ion the war with Police.
1/13/2018 12:19:00 AM
Nothing to do with the war on the police or good work! Everything to do with these idiots were WRONG! The Sgt was WRONG who joined the chase rather than terminate it! Summer dayn people outside & you're chasing a stolen car, then get out shooting!! Not to mention the idiots didn't even know who was in the car calling out a retired po on the air as an offender. People like them provide idiot who hat the police with ammo! Sorry, I don't feel bad at all. Fire all involved!
I'm sorry but this always has hired some real assholes. And I mean true felonious assholes, tho I think these guys were just plain stupid.
The public doesn't understand that Cops dont have a problem with a discipline process. What we have a problem with is the way its applied and how true scum can be protected time and again while they will crucify the un-clouted for even an accusation.
Fire these two! Fucking clowns. I wouldn’t work with them
Rahm and Ferguson are in charge of COPA.
Disagree that some of these guys should be fired. They come out of BS PC oriented curriculum that gives no training in tactical thinking. Due to their "training" they instinctively react the way they were trained: cluelesly.
The City and Department, rather than admit their failings, just flush the officers down the drain.
so these guys fire at a car which is an imminent risk - and they are on the hook - you can't shoot at a car that's that dangerous? Ya, it was risky because squads were in the line of fire, but this is split -second, truly split -second shit
then the other cop shoots him in the back and he's ok? I mean, good, they ruled in favor of this cop, but this is the guy I thought they would hangout to dry.
That was a tactical nightmare from beginning to end.
In his winding days, Restorative Justice Ambassador Special Ed is turning over the couch cushions looking for anything he can build a legacy on.
Rahm 2019 awaiting with a bushel of tax dollar settlements.
COPRA is running the shitshow with Special Ed’s help and anyone who thinks they can or should effect a ghetto arrest is nuts.
Why are they still stopping anything that moves, for any reason, in the ghetto?
Every one of the shots fired could have resulted in the death of an innocent. In addition were the multiple opportunities for an AD. What would have been the cost to the city in settlements? To the families (possibly CPD) who could have lost a loved one? Or to anyone anywhere else either of these guys might have worked with in the future? To you? Seriously, after seeing the gunplay in the vids the only place I'd ever feel safe around either is nowhere.
Few will argue it's not a shitty job. But even a shitty job deserves to be done professionally. No excuse for the sloppiness on display in the vids. CPD is better off without these Rambos.
, And my son goes to the Board because of Dom/Batt case that they said he lied on the case report, under rule 14, with all this other stuff going on
A few decades ago, the officers would have received commendations.
The videos are posted at the Chicago Tribune web site. If the stylish car thief was not so heavily into ghetto fashion he may have out run the police. It is difficult run with your pants and belt under your underpants.
I don’t think they should be fired. Yes you can sit here and judge all you want. I am sure they were young coppers working together in a fast district trying to be proactive after been told by supervisors we have your back go get us ISR’s, some street stops, a couple of guns. A disaster waiting to happen with these young districts. Hmmm they say body cameras are to protect us but why would they have Lt reviewing bwc videos to write officers up for any little thing. I think they should be sent back for re-training in the Academy not put out to dry.
To those who criticize these cops, not saying their tactics weren't careless, but who here has never made a mistake? Just let them learn from this. Hopefully they get better. Luckily no cops were hurt. They are trying to do the right thing. They should stay on the job, be given an opportunity to learn from mistakes.
cant believe the shit im hearing on this. alot of monday morning quarterbacking.
Mistakes are one thing but dummy, but someone died. Would you want one of these tools backing you up? They need to pay a big price for that mistake.
They are burnt toast. As well they should be.
In the Heat of the Moment a Hot car was coming at them at a High Rate of Speed,Mistakes Happen,They Should not be Fired.
You are only as good as your training. Bottom line, we are poorly trained by the City. Find me someone that disagrees, and don't tell me you knew what you signed up for. The city promotes this as a job they can take anyone from zero to 100 in the academy. Time and Time again, this has been proven wrong.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
so these guys fire at a car which is an imminent risk - and they are on the hook - you can't shoot at a car that's that dangerous? Ya, it was risky because squads were in the line of fire, but this is split -second, truly split -second shit
then the other cop shoots him in the back and he's ok? I mean, good, they ruled in favor of this cop, but this is the guy I thought they would hangout to dry.
1/13/2018 10:16:00 AM
Did you see their videos? This is some movie moves where these two jump in front of stolen car to do what exactly??? And then it gets better, dude drives by almost hitting them,,,,,, well shit,,,,,,fuck this,,,,,,let’s throw some rounds
Anonymous said...
To those who criticize these cops, not saying their tactics weren't careless, but who here has never made a mistake? Just let them learn from this. Hopefully they get better. Luckily no cops were hurt. They are trying to do the right thing. They should stay on the job, be given an opportunity to learn from mistakes.
1/13/2018 01:11:00 PM
Fire at your coworker cause a car thief got around you and didn’t stop for you??? Sounds like officers got dissed and fired at a bad guy, kinda like in the ghetto.
You want these two to learn from their mistakes? Somebody died bc of their actions, there’s no stop play here. There’s no “ learn from it and see how it is”
Anonymous said...
cant believe the shit im hearing on this. alot of monday morning quarterbacking.
1/13/2018 04:27:00 PM
If my partner ever pulled his gun, rested it on the dash while I was driving to hot call, I'd go right to station and drop myself off.
Mostly everything we do is judged by what a reasonable officer would do. How can you defend these actions?
You react the way you were trained to react. It would seem they were trained by watching TV. Not only them but those that failed to train should be held responsible. The police academy is a joke and it is your life they put at risk. There a lot of things the CPD needs and continuing training is one of them. What was excepted procedure years ago will get you fired today and having leadership that is based on who you know rather than what you know dosen't help. The CPD is screwed up, top to bottom..
Only one can hope they never find themselves in their shoes. Good luck guys.
One of the only legit reasons for animosity by civilians and such an anti police sentiment these days is because cops back cops even when we're wrong. Sometimes we have to admit there are cops on this job that are idiots and should not be the police. This is one of those times. There is no reason for them to shoot at a moving vehicle. God help us all if they stay on this job.
1/13/2018 05:52:00 AM
If properly trained your statement would have merit
While I don’t agree with the hasty actions of these officers I do believe they should not be sacrificed. These officers lacked training, tactical awareness and supervision. They should be retrained and suspended but not fired. Our department does a terrible job of training for high stress scenarios. When they go wrong, they seek to fire the individuals involved because of political reasons. This department never wants to take responsibility for the lack of training & Supervision as described in the DOJ report. Where was 406 (now 407 while awaiting his merit bump to Lt.), that lazy fat slob of a turd?? What Supervisor was monitoring the chase? Where was the Ops Lt or Field Lt. You let these kids run-n-gun for numbers...then shit hits the fan and everyone ghosts these kids while they lose their job!! This should be an eye opener to ALL!
Anonymous said...
"While I don’t agree with the hasty actions of these officers I do believe they should not be sacrificed. These officers lacked training, tactical awareness and supervision. They should be retrained and suspended but not fired. Our department does a terrible job of training for high stress scenarios. When they go wrong, they seek to fire the individuals involved because of political reasons..."
~SNIP!~
"What Supervisor was monitoring the chase? Where was the Ops Lt or Field Lt. You let these kids run-n-gun for numbers...then shit hits the fan and everyone ghosts these kids while they lose their job!! This should be an eye opener to ALL!"
1/14/2018 11:14:00 AM
Failure to Train x Failure to Properly Supervise /
Intentionally Running CPD on the Cheap =
Potentially Ruinous Criminal & Civil Liability on
The Mayor, The City Council & The Superintendent(s).
According to the math, it's cheaper for The City to sacrifice
these young, improperly trained Officers for pandering purposes
and political/media expediency than to own up/man up to having
given dynamic hands-on training the short shrift.
Short Shrift? Why?
Because the CPD training budget was viewed as a sweet honey pot
of "free" money that needed re-directing toward more important
"stuff" other than properly and regularly training/drilling/
rehearsing you racist blue-shirted brutes to reduce the number
of these incidents that serve nothing but to fuel the Police
Litigation/Criminal Defense Attorney Political Kick-Back
Industrial Complex...
Ya can't have the unwashed rabble stumbling over the skeletal
remains of starved/frozen to death lawyers in cardboard boxes
in the bushes up at Bird Sanctuary or tucked into one of the
dead-ended Taylor/Fillmore viaducts in 011 after the spring
thaw...
The whole damned thing is orchestrated.
Police Like You Have No Friends.
What a bunch of Maroons!
Wait...you mean officers are responsible for anyone in the line of fire and even behind their intended target?! This sound strangely familiar.
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