Cop Gets Booted, Booter Gets Detained
Chicago Police Officer Racks Up 62 Parking Tickets : MyFoxCHICAGO.com
Tempers might be flaring between the Chicago Police Department and Department of Revenue employees.
Last Friday, according to Fox Chicago News, a boot van driver was trying to boot a Corvette on a street adjacent to the main police station.
Turns out, the Corvette’s owner was a cop, who happened to walk out when his car was being booted.
While the cop seemed resigned his situation (he owed over $1000 for 8 outstanding tickets), a police sergeant came out and demanded the booter’s drivers license because he was allegedly “parked illegally.”
Obviously, the police sergeant was just harassing the booter as boot vans are allowed to double park when administering or removing a boot.
20 minutes later, the license was returned and the booter free to go.
The booter tipped off Fox News Chicago and also filed a complaint with CPD.
We wonder what this incident will do for CPD/DOR relations?
Here’s Fox Chicago’s full story, “Chicago Police Officer Racks Up 62 Parking Tickets.”
Here’s some interesting comments over at the Detective Shaved Longcock blog.
I’ll tell you what this incident will do to CPD/DOR relations.
Nothing.
“Officially”
I’m calling Capt M Plate though….he can handle writing up unmarkeds.
62 tickets, very interesting. I heard Revenue runs checks on their employee’s every 30 days. How could a police officer get that many tickets and be on the boot list and not get in trouble. Perhaps someone from the Inspector General’s office may want to look it into this.
Clout Rinzler….Clout.
Obviously has an “in’ with someone in that kept them from being red lined/gigged.
Just detain anyone you want because you are a policeman (Jack Booted Thug) It wouldn’t surprise me if the booter doesn’t get in trouble for something.
I frequently hear about Police Officers being under paid. Wish I could have a car like that!
IPRA and IAD have been contacted by Dept Revenue Director.
A complaint to the Sgt’s Union was filed.
The Distrct CO was Called at Home.
The Sgt. was way out of control. I hate to think how he treats civilians too afraid to stand up to him the way I did!! I am doing all that I can to make sure he gets the punishment he rightly deserves!
I heard that the Director of Security is on this.
But I’m also hearing the Booter will be given 7 days off w/out Pay for Contacting the Media in uniform on duty.
The Booter can Sue the Sgt and CPD for illegal procedure and harassment.
Booter didn’t contact media while on duty in uniform. Your getting false information from Director of Security.
Wouldnt surprise me at all if they focused more on something as stupid as someone contacting the media instead of “using the recorded video to prosecute anyone who interferes with city buisness” just like it says on the boot vans. Is an “out of control” police sgt. exempt from this? Probably!
As a matter of fact, after watching the news clip I recall Larry Yellen stating that the tip came from an anonymous person, NOT the booter as stated by owner of “Expiredmeter.com”. I just love how second and third hand news gets twisted by people who don’t get their facts straight.
Chitownbootman….
My info comes from a Booter as well as Chuck……
The Booter that was harrassed by the Sgt contacted Media.
We are not allowed to go to the media with a complaint or bitch or axe to grind. That is City Policy.
Chitownbootman,
With all due respect, if you view the video, it is obvious that Fox spoke directly with the booter who was involved–despite the fact the tip came from someone allegedly “anonymous.”
The details are two intimate to be from a third party (at least in my opinion). Worst case, the booter relayed VERY specific details through a third party.
Plus, my sources from the DOR imply the booter contacted the media.
But, I’m not sure what we’re arguing about here. Really. What is the controversy here?
In my opinion the booter was just doing his job. He happened to boot a car owned by a cop in front of a police station. A police Sgt. decides to pull rank and mess with the booter.
Cop is obviously out of bounds and acted improperly.
The booter, in my opinion, was right to contact the media and within his rights to file complaints against the police Sgt.
One hopes incident doesn’t undermine the ability for any PEA or booter to get police assistance when its needed.
How the Hell did he/she get AWAY WITH 62 TICKETS?! us as TAX PAYING CITIZEN OF CHICAGO can only get 2 and if WE don’t pay them we get a Boot, this officer is 60 OVER THE LIMIT! why cause he/she has a badge and gun, well if that’s the Case where do I SIGN UP FOR THAT cause I as a TAX PAYING CITIZEN WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET 60+ TICKETS AND NOT GET A BOOT!
I would like to think that Revenue Security has the power to influence this investigation and bring a little justice to the booter, but unfortunatly they really don’t so that is most likely why talks of suspending the booter are already surfacing because that is the extent of their authority. As far as contacting the media, I would like to think the booter wasnt dumb enough to call them on city time while on duty. Booters aren’t sworn officers like the police, once they swipe out and on their own time they are civilians like the rest of us. Saddly, when incidents do occur on occasion where a court visit is needed some employees have to go on their own time without pay, unlike police officers. I’m not a fan of double standards and hate to see rules apply sometimes for some things and then other times they are not to benefit certain others. As far as a 7 day suspension, the burdon of proof is on them. Sounded to me like the media was reading straight from a police report which as we all know is viewable according to the FOIA.
Geek, you are right. The focus here was a booter employed by taxpayers such as us was doing the job WE pay him to do. The cop was wrong, bottom line!!!
Drew, Speaking of City policy. I dont think it’s policy for a cop to interfere with the booting of a car just because the car happens to be one of their own. The Booter was asked if he/she contacted media and they said “No”, so anything other than that is speculation and hear-say.
I would like to think that ANYONE who LOOKED THE OTHER WAY, COVER THIS UP OR JUST PLAIN DIDN’T DO ANYTHING about it will be DEALT with as well but that is VERY WISHFUL THINKING in the City of Chicago!
I agree Chitown…the Sgt is probably an Inside Do nothing Merit Clout Hack House Mouse.
The district this happened in would be useful Information though.
I guess it will all come down to the IGO.
Just thought of something. If Revenue suspended every employee for gossip and rumors, 85% would be on suspension!! Lol
Can they dump Persons first?
Wolfman, sorry to say you are right. One department will put it on another department and so on. Nothing will ever come of this. It will most likely be forgotten until the next time something like this happens. The booter should look into suing the cop and the police department. It might be the only constructive thing to come out of this.
Lawsuit filed against cop and city
more of our money doled out courtesy of the CPD !
Booter was not suspended….per info I have just recently recieved from someone close to the 1st Deputy’s Office.
And Chitown…you are 100% correct…
It is a violation of CPD General Orders and City Personal Code of Conduct to Attempt to Interfere or Harass another city employee during the course of their Duties.
One problem that we are running into in Revenue, is that in the last contract talks; the city apparently changed the job classification of PEA’s to a LEO position (Law Enforcement officer). As such the city has greater 1st amendment restrictions than if you were a Streets and San employee.
On the up side. that means PEA’s have arrest powers since the City views us as LEO’s.
DOR Employee, can you find and post the actual CPD order and Code of Conduct rule about harassing another city worker during the course of their duties?
Thanks!
Chicago Police Board:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/dam/city/depts/cpb/PoliceDiscipline/RulesofConduct.pdf
Rule 2: Any action or conduct which impedes the Department’s efforts to
achieve its policy
Rule 8: Disrespect to or maltreatment of any person, while on or off duty.
Rule 1: Violation of any law or ordinance. EG: Expired Plates, No Park/Stand Anytime, Street cleaning, Expired City Sticker, etc…
Rule 4: Any conduct or action taken to use the official position for personal gain or influence.
Rule 6: Disobedience of an order or directive, whether written or oral. As a PEA or a Booter, we have the legal Right to ORDER City Employees to step back and away from their vehicles if Booting/Ticketing is in progress.
And for shits and giggles :
Rule 9: Engaging in any unjustified verbal or physical altercation with any person, while on or off duty.
No way do PEAs have arrest powers. I can see many many legal complications that would arise if this were the case. For one, do PEAs attend police academy?
A Sworn Officer has Arrest Powers Pete.
Anyone authorized to enforce Municipal Code is a City Officer.
Didn’t say “Da Police.” but Sworn Officer.
You’d be surprised what PEA’s can do “legally” but are not told about by management.
Apparently the cops defense is booter was “illegally” parked while applying the boot. To any PEA’s out there, is there any laws on the Municipal Code that specifically say that a city vehicle can double park while performing his/her duties? We all know common sense but this cop doesn’t. Need an actual law that allows it. Anyone?
How is work supposed to get done? Sometimes a city worker needs to double park to say repair a pothole, trim a tree, etc. Sounds like this cop just didn’t like the fact that his buddy got booted and is hiding behind some red tape. Just goes to show how this city works (or should say doesn’t work). The cop screwed up and now has the city lawyers doing double speak. The Booter is told to do a job a certain way and when he does, he gets punished for it and now the city says he wasn’t supposed to do that. Maybe the city should give Booters a list of exempt people who should not get booted even though they owe. Typical Chicago style politics.
The truly politically connected never get on the boot list to begin with. Their tickets magically disappear.
According to the docket, the City has offered to settle for $25,000.
I’d take the 25k…
But I’d counter offer for a settlement…
25k Cash,5 years added to Pension time, Promotion to One Grade Higher.
LMAFO!!!! Whats this “Pension” you speak of??