'When Are They Gonna Fire The Mayor?' Asks Police Radio Chatter

By aaroncynic in News on Dec 2, 2015 5:30PM

Reactions continue to roll in after Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy was ousted from his post on Tuesday in the wake of the release of the video of the death of Laquan McDonald, a 17 year-old black teenager shot 16 times by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke.

The local crime blog Crime in Wrigleyville and Boystown captured the reaction of some police to the news, and posted a short clip of what the bloggers claim is radio chatter from police officers as the news broke.

“Did they just fire the Superintendent,” asks one person on the radio. “But, but, the mayor’s got his back,” quips another in response. “When are they gonna fire the mayor?” asks another.

Calls for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s own resignation, along with Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, have been increasing over the past two weeks. Emanuel abruptly walked out of a press conference Tuesday after ignoring several questions from reporters about the potential of his own resignation.

Charles Brown, a retired 23-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and Treasurer of the community organization Action Now, said that McCarthy’s departure shows that Emanuel is “not invincible to public pressure,” but not the end. “Justice includes the resignations of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Mayor Rahm Emanuel for their complicity in covering up the murder of a 17-year old,” said Brown in a press release. “We cannot have leaders hiding the truth for their own protection or because it might be difficult for the public. Everyone who has obstructed justice through their inactions, lies or silence must go.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle kept her remarks about McCarthy:

“I have long thought that former Supt. McCarthy’s policing strategies were wrong-headed and did nothing to instill trust and confidence - especially in communities of color,” she said in a statement.

Emanuel, who has long said he stood behind McCarthy, announced he was firing him at a press conference announcing a new police accountability task force. "No one person trumps my commitment and my responsibility to the City of Chicago and its future," he said.