West Cook News

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara Jr. said Chicago Police officers who takes a knee in uniform in response to protesters could be kicked out of the FOP.

In the interview with WGN Radio’s Bob Sirott, Catanzara did not hedge the position of Lodge 7 on the behavior of officers while in uniform.

“Any member of Lodge 7 who is going to take a knee and basically side with protesters while they’re in uniform will subject themselves to discipline in the lodge up to and including expulsion from Lodge 7,” Catanzara told Sirott.

Sirott said that Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said that the city is transitioning police away from being the first responders in situations such as a mental health crisis. Catanzara told Sirott that his own reaction to the actions that lead to the death of George Floyd was no different from what most people felt.

“It was disgusting to watch. It almost looked like he was enjoying what he was doing,” Catanzara. “Most importantly, it was an absolute improper police tactic.”

However, Catanzara questioned using the actions that led to Floyd's death as the “litmus test” by which all policing is evaluated. He also questioned whether racism was truly shown as a motivation.

“Some people are just violent by nature,” Catanzara told Sirott. “Every now and then, some of those people end up wearing a badge.”

Catanzara has since written a letter directly addressed to President Donald Trump in which he claimed that Lightfoot, “is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here,” according to ABC7.

"I would be willing to sit down anytime and discuss ideas about how we can bring civility back to the streets of Chicago,” Catanzara’s letter said. “These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and the police department."