Coward Cops Fired

**Pedro56** · 06-22-06, 08:25 AM

'Coward' Cops Canned
June 22, 2006

BY FRANK MAIN Crime Reporter

Three Chicago Police officers ran away when a fellow officer was struggling for his life with an armed man in a Dominick's store on the South Side, officials said Wednesday.

Two of the fleeing officers were about 10 months into their 18-month probationary period before they could have become full-fledged officers with union benefits.

Those female officers -- called PPOs in cop parlance -- have been fired by police Supt. Phil Cline.

"After reviewing the evidence, it was clear to me that the two PPOs didn't do what they were trained to do, and they put the officer in peril," Cline said.

A third male officer, whose probation ended about three months ago, faces a departmental investigation and possible termination, too.

Captured on security camera

Cline can fire probationary officers at will, but full-fledged officers have extensive due-process rights.

The incident was captured on a Dominick's security camera and was reviewed by department officials.

The videotape may be used to show recruits at the police academy what officers should never do.

But recruits also could learn from the heroic performance of the officer who struggled alone with the gunman, sources said.

It is very unusual for officers -- whether they are probationary or full time -- to face disciplinary action for cowardice, sources said.

But such allegations are almost never captured on videotape, they said.

The four Grand Crossing District officers were responding to a shoplifting call at 10:30 p.m. on June 3 at a Dominick's in the 2100 block of East 71st.

James King, 47, of Park Forest, started fighting in the store with a male officer who was trying to arrest him for sneaking out with stolen goods, police said. The officer had one handcuff on King when he struggled to break free, police said.

King removed a 9mm pistol from his pants pocket and pointed the weapon at the officer, who then fatally shot King, officials said. An investigation found that the officer, who has been on the force about four years, had followed department rules on using deadly force. The department did not identify that officer.

Not what cops are trained to do

Assistant Deputy Supt. Matthew Tobias, who runs the Police Department's training academy, would not discuss the incident.

But he spoke generally about what officers are trained to do.

"When they have the means to take appropriate action, they are not taught to turn their back and run away," Tobias said.

"If you have the means and knowledge to protect citizens or other officers, you are expected to take action -- and will be held accountable when you do not take action."

**Pedro56** · 06-22-06, 08:25 AM

I know a bunch more I would like to add to the list.

**Growler** · 06-22-06, 08:34 AM

They should be fired, tarred and feather. And the injured officer should have a chance to get a crack at em!!!

Run Away? You never give up ground. Three officers, one fighting and one suspect? You mean to tell me noone could whip his ass?

**Piggybank Cop** · 06-22-06, 08:37 AM

Where I come from it’s called cowardice in the face of the enemy and used to could have got you shot.

**Trojan 42** · 06-22-06, 08:37 AM

Fired without question!

**Garda** · 06-22-06, 08:41 AM

Ooops, I voted second chance but I clicked before reading!

This is the worst I have ever heard and I have heard some bad ones, fired fired fired fired fired!

**K9skipper** · 06-22-06, 08:43 AM

Fired? tarred and feathered? At least!!! how about a blanket party before they leave? and perhaps sued by the officers family for failing to protect when they had a duty to do just that....this really irks me! what kind of people are going thru our academy's and getting certified anyway? This is not only reflective of their integrity, but cowardice CAN NOT BE TOLERATED..especially when it comes to one of our own!

**Piggybank Cop** · 06-22-06, 08:50 AM

Isn’t running away on the use of force continuum taught to all new touchy feely warm fuzzy new cops?

**Pedro56** · 06-22-06, 08:50 AM

I cant believe someone actually thinks to give these mopes another chance, maybe to act like a chickenshit again and maybe get someone killed this time.

**Beans** · 06-22-06, 08:58 AM

Freaking pathetic!

**TXCharlie** · 06-22-06, 09:21 AM

Fire 'em - I know a lot of civilians who'd never run off & leave a buddy (or anyone else) like that.

**Garda** · 06-22-06, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro56

I cant believe someone actually thinks to give these mopes another chance, maybe to act like a chickenshit again and maybe get someone killed this time.

I believe I explained why. Dont you read the full threads?

**Beans** · 06-22-06, 09:40 AM

This reminds me of story, yes I am sorry, so bare with me.
A few years ago I stopped a guy and I knew he was lying to me about his name. I went up to snatch him up, but he sees me coming and bails. We are running through an alley and there are two repairmen working on an air conditioner. I am yelling for him to stop. There is nowhere for him to go with the other guys in the alley.
So what do they do, they step aside and let him go by. By that time I am losing him because he a fast MF'er. I said to them, why did you let them go?
They said it was not their problem. So much for help from the public!

**Retdetsgt** · 06-22-06, 10:30 AM

I've known a couple who have done stuff like that. They were shunned the rest of their careers. People wouldn't even talk to them in the locker room. For one guy, this went on for nearly 15 years until he retired. Fortunately for them, none ever did anything that called for backup either. One happened befor I came on so I dunno why they weren't fired, the other one was by the mayor, but he screwed up how he did it and the guy got his job back.

**CountyFourteen** · 06-22-06, 11:03 AM

no room for cowards, I wonder how these people were graded in their academy, and in their field training....

**Ivory** · 06-22-06, 11:07 AM

You are the weakest link....good bye

**conalabu** · 06-22-06, 12:14 PM

I am kind of amazed this needed a poll. Those weren't cops. Those were people that happened to have a badge on.

**armygrnt502** · 06-22-06, 12:26 PM

Wow...embarrassing and shameful. I know as a Rookie, I am looked at harder by my fellow officers, because they are wanting to see how I will react if something like this happens.

I may end up getting my ass beat, but Ill be damned if I let another on my force get the beating in my place.