Source: propublica.org 12/4/25
The Chicago Police Department’s promotions system allows officers’ disciplinary records to be ignored. Despite years of reform efforts, nothing has changed.
One of Chicago’s newest police sergeants had been deemed “unfit to serve” after an investigation uncovered evidence that he created a fake Facebook account and spread a nude photo of a woman he was sexually involved with, then lied to investigators about it.
Another new sergeant had been found to have engaged in conduct that “seriously undermines public faith, credibility, and trust in the Department” after he was accused of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The conclusions were made by independent investigators from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. COPA recommended firing both. The first officer ultimately negotiated a one-year suspension and was assigned to supervise officers downtown and in the West Loop. The second officer’s case is still pending; he was assigned to supervise officers patrolling neighborhoods on the city’s South Side.
The officers’ promotions this spring were not due to an oversight. Department officials knew about their disciplinary records, but those records could not be considered as the department evaluated their fitness for promotion.
The main qualifying factor was their test scores from a two-part exam.
That Chicago police officers can rise in the ranks in spite of significant problems in their records reflects a…
Victim advocates have pretty much succeeded in creating a judicial system that can convict individuals of sex crimes based solely on accusations. There is virtually no burden of proof in sex charges – the accusation alone is proof enough, even if rescinded. Those accused of sex crime nowadays have to prove their innocence, an impossible burden in most cases as that is essentially proving a negative.
If the totality of evidence in these guys cases couldn’t even support criminal charges with their laughable burden of proof, then I agree with the department – they shouldn’t be considered. Nobody’s life or career should be derailed on mere unproven accusations. Given the penalties involved, I don’t think requiring evidentiary support is asking too much, regardless of how difficult it may be to acquire such evidence.
Though it might sound a little sadistic, I’d like to see an unfounded sex charge pressed against some of the more vocal advocates for a system that rushes to convict on accusations alone.
Huh, maybe they should be added to the sex offense registry, on account of it not being punishment. Then we can say hello in the long line outside at cottage grove and 92nd.
The fraternal order of police is one of the main reasons cops get away with things like this and other things.
@Athena has the response of the day! If it is not punishment or so bad, then let them join the others who are suffering under it. I say send that all day long to the elected officials of Chi-town (mayor and council), their PD, elected local & state, and Gov Pritzker in Springfield for them to face reality. Changes could be had faster the a mobster on St. Valentine’s Day back in the day.
Normally I would say, there is nothing wrong with this. Everybody deserves a 2nd chance and to move on. The majority of people have probably done something they are not proud of, maybe even spent time in jail or prison for it. After having served their time, they should be able to go on with their lives, The problem I have, obviously, is that certain people don’t have to endure the never ending punishment like the PFRs do. That is what’s wrong with this picture.