The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police on Wednesday signaled their displeasure in a symbolic no-confidence vote targeting Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Police Supt. David Brown and First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter.
FOP President John Catanzara in a video about the vote pointed to the department nixing the St. Jude Memorial March for fallen officers for the second year straight, and to issues regarding long working hours demanded of police officers.
“And it was a slap in the face to every department member, especially the Gold Star Families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and deserve that respect annually, period, no excuses,” Catanzara said regarding the parade cancellation. “If they come up with more in the future we will certainly continue to hold our march like we did this year if we need to on our own,” he said.
“The second part of the no-confidence vote was the working conditions for our officers for the better part of a year now and a lack of consideration for family life, social life, whatever the case may be. Too many of our officers have worked extended hours, not voluntarily, but forced. And the compensation, for starters, is the same whether you volunteer or not. That makes absolutely no sense, but the department doesn’t give a damn,” he said.
Mayor Lightfoot brushed off the vote on Thursday: “Frankly, getting a vote of no confidence from that guy is a badge of honor accepted,” she said regarding Catanzara, CBS Chicago reported.