GLBT Subcommittee Wants Controversial Cop Off The Streets In Boystown

Despite the Chicago Police Department's apparent attempts to pretend otherwise, the fact that allegedly anti-gay officer Richard Fiorito remains on active duty in the heart of Boystown continues to embroil members of the neighborhood's gay community. On Aug. 26, the GLBT subcommittee of the CPD 23rd District used its monthly meeting to pass a resolution against Fiorito, the subject of a joint lawsuit filed by nearly 20 plaintiffs who accuse the officer of falsifying DUI arrests in addition to verbally harassing and using excessive force against them. The resolution urges the CPD to:

"...remove [Fiorito]'s police powers pending resolution of the serious internal and federal civil rights charges pending against him. Furthermore, given the evidence of apparent criminal behavior, we believe there is probable cause for the Cook County States Attorney's Office to file criminal charges against Fiorito for Perjury, False Arrest and False Imprisonment. We call upon them to file such charges immediately."

The resolution against the veteran officer was passed unanimously by everyone present at the meeting - everyone, that is, except for the two CPD officers present, who reportedly abstained. The officers attempted to "stonewall" the resolution and left "as fast as they could," according to one meeting attendee. CPD spokespeople have repeatedly declined further comment on the case, so it remains unclear what exactly the resolution will resolve.

Post by: Joseph Erbentraut