Chicago Cop Union President Could Face Firing For Facebook Rants

CHICAGO — Police union boss John Catanzara's controversial Facebook posts could get him fired, the Chicago Police Board announced Thursday.

Catanzara faces misconduct charges related to posts on his personal Facebook page, including a call to "kill these m------------," and "Savages they all deserve a bullet."

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommended Catanzara's termination. But Police Supt. David Brown objected to firing the police union boss, and recommended a one-year suspension instead.

On Thursday, police board member Andrea Zopp said in a written opinion that after reviewing the charges against Catanzara she determined Brown did not make a strong enough argument for a lesser punishment.

"It is my opinion that, based on a thorough review of the Request for Review file, the Superintendent did not meet his burden of overcoming the Chief Administrator’s recommendation for discipline," she wrote.

Zopp, the outgoing chief executive of World Business Chicago who previously served as deputy mayor in former Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration, called for an evidentiary hearing to determine Catanzara's punishment.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability's investigation determined Catanzara in violation of department rules related to 17 Facebook posts, including one that referred to superior officers as "spineless."

MORE ON PATCH: Chicago Cop Under Investigation Again Over Social Media Posts

Catanzara told the Tribune many of the controversial posts were made in response to social media attacks against him. Catanzara also said that he wouldn't be prohibited from serving out his term as union president if the police board votes to terminate his employment.

Once formal charges are filed against Catanzara a hearing date will be set, police board Executive Director Max Caproni said.

COPA spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said officials at the civilian group charged with investigating police misconduct were pleased with the police board's decision to reject Brown's recommendation.

"The conduct by the officer expressed bias and animosity toward various minority groups which is especially problematic in a city as diverse as Chicago and negatively impacts the Department’s ability to effectively serve its residents." he said in a statement.