Embattled Chicago cop Sgt. John Poulos, a figure at the center of controversy for his involvement in two fatal shootings, has thrown his hat into the ring for a Cook County judgeship. According to the Chicago Tribune, despite the public outcry and costly lawsuits linked to the incidents, Poulos is campaigning for a judicial seat in the March 19 Democratic primary.
Poulos' campaign funds totaling about $500,000, largely stem from loans provided by his wife, overshadowing the war chests of his competitors. His opponents in the primary are local attorneys Michael Zink, Nickolas Pappas, and Nadine Jean Wichern, who holds the role of chief in the civil appeals division at the Illinois attorney general’s office, the Tribune detailed. Critics, particularly the families affected by the shootings, voice concerns regarding his suitability to serve justice impartially.
The two incidents that have predominantly marred Poulos’ career as a Chicago police officer include the 2013 off-duty shooting of Rickey Rozelle and, the fatal chase that ended in 19-year-old Kajuan Raye's death in 2016. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by city investigations in both instances, lawsuits filed by the victims' families led to settlements totaling approximately $2 million courtesy of City Hall, as per a Sun-Times report. Rozelle was unarmed at the time of his shooting, while Raye’s gun was not drawn, experts say.
In the court of public opinion, the stakes are substantial. Kenyatta Hill, sister of the slain Rickey Rozelle, expressed her disquiet to the Sun-Times, stating, “It’s like a slap in the face. I have to go out and look at this guy campaign and have a normal life — and my brother is dead.” She went further, questioning Poulos’ ability to “rule without bias,” branding him a "murderer in my eyes."
Poulos declined to comment on how his history as a police officer might impact his role if elected as judge, although he has pointed to his aim to restore "sense and sensibility" to the bench, as he told the Tribune. Lawyer James McKay, representing Poulos, champions his client as "highly qualified" and an "excellent choice" for the judgeship. The sergeant's wife, Marjorie Poulos, not only supports her husband financially but also serves as the treasurer for his campaign, which was initially floated with a substantial half-a-million-dollar boost from her resources.
Amidst the legal and political turmoil, Gov. J.B. Pritzker's chief of staff, Anne Caprara, noted that signing a petition, "does not mean you support them – it just means you support their right to take their case to the voters,” in a statement obtained by the Tribune. Poulos is not without his backers, but the contentious nature of his past actions and their lingering shadows cast doubts for many, including Michael Goode, Hill-Cotton’s lawyer, who infers a potential bias if Poulos were elected.
