Chicago police officers under investigation for migrant sex allegations, COPA says
Sources say multiple officers have been accused and there are calls to move migrants out of the police stations.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Multiple Chicago police officers are under an internal investigation involving allegations of officers having sexual interactions with female migrants at a West Side police station, sources said.
This allegedly happened at the 10th District police station in North Lawndale. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, one of the officers has been accused of impregnating a teenage girl.
Both COPA and Internal Affairs are investigating.
COPA said in a statement said, "Yesterday, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) learned of a sexual misconduct allegation involving members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) assigned to the 10th District and a migrant temporarily housed at the police station. Sexual misconduct investigations may involve criminal actions and require cooperation with CPD and ultimately, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO). Accordingly, COPA immediately notified CPD's Bureau of Internal Affairs (BIA) of these allegations, who then initiated a log, which then formally opened this investigation.
"'While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved,' said COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy. 'In compliance
with the Consent Decree, COPA has jurisdiction to conduct the administrative investigations of sexual misconduct allegations involving Chicago Police officers and we are obligated to demonstrate our commitment to objectivity, integrity, and transparency when responding to misconduct. COPA's purpose and core mission, under the Chicago Municipal Code, is to conduct independent, fact-finding administrative investigations into the most sensitive allegations of police misconduct on behalf of the public.'
"This investigation is ongoing, and all information is preliminary. If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact our office at 312-746-3609 or visit www.chicagocopa.org. "
One migrant who did not want to be identified said she had no issues at the 10th District.
"My experience with the officers has been with the utmost respect," she said. "I can't say anything bad because the officers are good to me and all my family."
Thousands of asylum seekers have been arriving in Chicago since last summer and hundreds have been sleeping on police station floors all across the city.
Twenty Fourth Ward Alderwoman Monique Scott was just learning about the allegations Friday.
"No one really has any answers," Alderwoman Scott said. "Right now everything is pure speculation and allegations but I can assure you that myself and the city are doing their best."
Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson's office released a statement Thursday night saying, "The city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously. We are monitoring the situation closely, but cannot comment further as this is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability."
Meanwhile, Alderwoman Scott says the migrants at the 10th District should be moved during the investigation.
"Just to keep the investigation safe and you know maybe some of them right now may be fearful if they really know what's going on," she said. "I just think that it would be safe to probably have them moved."
CPD has not said if any of the officers have been stripped of their police powers.
Source: WLS-TV
