Two Chicago Cops Took a Knee and will be reprimanded

[iluvtennis]

Link to tweet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/26/two-black-chicago-police-officers-took-a-knee-in-a-precinct-lobby-and-were-reprimanded/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.37b8a33665f8
Chicago police officers are not allowed to participate in partisan political activities and campaigns, according to the police department. Officers who violate the policy could be reprimanded, assigned extra work without compensation, suspended without pay for no more than 30 days, or charged before the Chicago Police Board.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. I wonder if the Chicago cops who played Sweet Home Alabama at a BLM protest were disciplined?

[EffieBlack]

2. But when white police officers shoot unarmed black men, they arent disciplined at all

And they wonder why people are protesting?

[Ilsa]

4. Rec your reply. nt

[iluvtennis]

8. Absolutely

[uponit7771]

12. Amen

[DLevine]

14. Yup. nt

[sarisataka]

3. Chicago PD

Apparently considers taking a stand against racism and police brutality partisan political activities.

Revealing.

Also acknowledges they believe there is a side that is racist and doesn't oppose police brutality...

[moriah]

5. I think this actually qualifies as protected protest federally.

A quote from an article about firing people who attended rallies on their own time:

Attorney Zoe Argento of the law firm of Littler Mendelson also warns employers to be careful in making sure that adverse employment actions don’t violate federal labor legal protections protecting activities that involve expression regarding wages and working conditions.

If the employee participated in a rally concerning sick leave, minimum wage or immigration reform, for example, that conduct would likely be protected, Argento points out. Similarly, workplace rules or policies that dissuade non-supervisory employees from exercising their rights to advance their "mutual aid or protection" can violate federal labor law and get you in trouble with the National Labor Relations Board.

Police officers actively working with the community to engage and deal with the divide between police and populace are certainly advancing "mutual aid and protection", and directly are about police working conditions. After all, a scared populace and scared cops equal more deaths on both sides.

I hope the officer's union actually looks at that aspect.

[Lee-Lee]

9. The issue is on duty and/or in uniform

Departments can 100% have rules about what you can do in regards to both.

If this was off duty and not in uniform it would be one the PD would be on weak ground to discipline for. In uniform, however, is another story.

[farmbo]

6. This will be an Interesting litmus test for the Chicago FOP

This disciplinary action is legally bogus. How is kneeling with a community leader to to focus attention on police brutality a "political" activity?
If the FOP provides them a legal defense-- like they would for any similarly situated White officer-- the action will probably be overturned.
Is the Chicago FOP just there to support White officers, or will they step up?

[mythology]

7. I'm a little confused that they can be assigned extra work without pay

That seems sketchy.

I'm okay with the general notion that public employees shouldn't protest on the job. But I'm skeptical that it is enforced equally.

[Gothmog]

10. These police officers should not be punished for these actions

[EffieBlack]

15. If, instead of kneeling, they had just shot her, they'd be home free

[Skippy33]

11. They are courageous

To be honest, I applaud them, but I doubt I would be brave enough to use the workplace to express my moral/social/political position because I can't afford to suffer the potential consequences.

[uponit7771]

13. We know what's up with CPD, there's nothing partisan about being against police brutality

[greyl]

16. Partisan?

PARTISAN?!?