Their frustration grew as CPD and city officials answered questions — sometimes contradictory — about the department’s decision to not fire Officer Robert Bakker, who allegedly had ties to the far-right group the Proud Boys.
Ald. Harry Osterman, 48th, speaks during a City Council meeting on Nov. 26, 2019. He told CPD officials that many Chicagoans will struggle to have faith in the police force if the department doesn’t more strongly confront its links with white supremacist or far-right groups.
“I’m exasperated like everyone else,” Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, said near the end of the hearing. “It is a joke that we are spending this much time and money to have this conversation when everyone who hears this case knows that officer should not be in the force. It is a joke!”Several aldermen said they felt the city isn’t doing enough to address reported ties that some officers have to far-right extremist groups.
Bakker is alleged to have associated with members of the white nationalist organization and posted messages in a group chat, including about meeting at a pub having a “patriot barbecue” with members. CPD officials suggested during the hearing that the department did not have enough evidence to prove Bakker had made false statements, despite the bureau of internal affairs finding that he had.Witzburg and Andrea Kersten, the chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, urged CPD representatives to enforce the rules already in place even as the department seeks to update its policies.
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