F.O.P. Gives Weis No-Confidence Vote

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 18, 2009 2:40PM

While it will have no immediate effect on his tenure as Chicago Police Superintendent, the no-confidence vote that chief Jody Weis received from the "rank-and-file" officers yesterday is a sign of plummeting morale plaguing the Chicago Police Department. The 160 officers present unanimously supported the vote. At the meeting, Greg Bella, third vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, described the department as in a "complete meltdown" and added, "The current superintendent has neither [the respect of officers and better knowledge of the Police Department], and the citizens of Chicago are forced to suffer along with us." F.O.P President Mark Donahue said the vote was mainly due to concern from officers of Weis's support of them, telling WGN, "That could have an impact on the people of Chicago, because, as you say, there are still men and women who are going to go out there and do their jobs everyday, but, from what we're hearing, the men and women are beginning to second guess themselves and second guess their activities." The Fraternal Order of Police represents around 8,000 of the 13,500 sworn-in officers.

In response to the vote, Weis said, "While I am disappointed by the union's actions, I am not surprised by this voice vote of 160 individuals. There are over 13,500 sworn members of this department. It is for them, and for the residents of the city of Chicago, that I work hard for every day." Weis has been under fire constantly since taking over the department for issues such as the violence at last year's Taste of Chicago fest and the teen cop impersonator saga. [Tribune, WGN]