Chicago Police Union Head Meeting With Trump Administration This Week
By Stephen Gossett in News on Mar 27, 2017 3:30PM
The self-styled law-and-order president has summoned the head of the Chicago police union, a vocal opponent of some proposed police reformist measures, to meet in Washington D.C. this week, according to reports. Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo will reportedly meet with President Donald Trump and high-ranking administration officials to talk about Chicago's violent crime.
According to the Sun-Times, who first reported the story, Angelo is expected to meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, among others, on Tuesday. ABC7 reports that the trip will include a meeting with Trump, also.
National FOP figures will be on hand, but Angelo was reportedly the only president of a local fraternal order asked to join. He told the Tribune, about violent crime in Chicago, "It's got to stop. But someone has to give a green light for police officers to get back to real policing, I love this job, and I'm glad it was me the wanted to talk to."
The police union said the rank and file have been "demonized by a lot of locals," according to ABC.
The meeting happens at a time when Chicago crime and policing are increasingly hot topics at the federal level, and not just because of Trump's long-running fixation. Sessions has been skeptical of the sorts of probes that the Department of Justice launched into the Chicago Police Department—which found a pattern and practice of unconstitutional behavior—before his tenure as Attorney General. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will pursue a consent decree to enforce the recommendations made following the investigation.
Less than two weeks ago, Chicago Supt. Eddie Johnson and other major-city top cops met with Sessions. Johnson reportedly requested more federal prosecutors to help caseloads against violent felons; more assistance from ATF, FBI and DEA agents for increased task forces; funds for better lab technology; and money for community investment.
Angelo, whose re-election bid goes to a runoff in April, has spoken positively about the Department of Justice report's emphasis on improved training and equipment, but sharply criticized charges of systemic abuse within the Chicago Police Department as "anti-police."
Angelo has also pushed back against some aldermen's efforts to draft fundamental reforms to the most controversial aspects of the police contract.