The Chicago Police department has had troubles in its history. None seem so serious as the latest saga of corruption. I only hope this is overblown and more sizzle than substance.I’ve heard the rumors for a while and avoided spreading them but now four cops of the Special Operations Section have been arrested and are facing Class X Felony charges. Class X charges carry 30-year prison terms.
Right now officers Jerome Finnigan, 43; Thomas Sherry, 32; Carl Suchocki, 32, and Keith Herrera, 28, have been charged with an array of despicable acts including kidnapping, home invasion and drug charges. The current allegations among other things are that the officers raided drug dealers, stealing all the guns, drugs and money. Some arrestees have claimed they were framed by officers using narcotics stolen by the cops from other criminals.
Four more officers including a sergeant are also suspected, have been stripped of their guns, stars and police powers and are under investigation. The easiest way for them to get out of criminal charges is to implicate others for even more wrongdoing.
The rumors are that perhaps some of these officers are cooperating in the investigation implicating yet more officers. There are lots of video and audio recordings that will find their way into prosecution evidence.
Hundreds, if not more criminal cases have been or will be dismissed against people arrested by these officers. People will be released from jail and prisons as a result. You can expect a huge waive of lawsuits claiming false arrest to be filed in various courts soon.
I just don’t see the victims of these officer’s alleged crimes as being sympathetic in any way. They are some the dangerous slime of predatory creatures that inhabit this earth.
I’m thinking back to the early 1960’s and the Summerdale police burglary scandal that brought in major reforms and O.W. Wilson to lead the department. That seemed so pale by comparison.
Right now Chicago’s drug dealers and street gang rats are rejoicing because this will have a huge impact on future enforcement against them.
I’m going to restate my position about the failed Drug War. The Drug War has created a much deadlier and perverse culture than the drugs themselves. We must rethink our drug law enforcement.
Comments
asked that yet. I'm sure that all us hard working people on this blog always have $50G lying around , don't you.
Lets stop worrying about where the VICTIMS got there money or what the judges track record is relative to bonds, but lets start worrying about how we can stop Officers in the future from becoming involved in things like this. It sounds like these young Officers are truly fucked. Lets put the focus of all this in prevention.
You say that they aren't a danger or a flight risk? One of them had already contacted a victim (prior to arrest) from what I understand in an attempt to get them to change their story. Maybe, just maybe, the high bond will get the attention of anybody else who is stupid enough to become involved inthings like this.
Illegal drugs are wicked. They poison the souls of people who use them and they corrupt the consciences of people who try to suspress them.
Bob