Amid allegations of serious misconduct and a contentious history within the Chicago Police Department, four officers stand accused of criminal behavior ranging from theft to falsifying reports. Officers Daniel Fair, Jeffrey Morrow, Kevin Taylor, and Rupert Collins face termination following an investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). According to a detailed exposition by the Chicago Sun-Times, the allegations include stealing cash and drugs and lying about the recovery of guns linked to crimes.
The charges come amidst wider scrutiny of Chicago's tactical police units, notably after an incident involving a massive discharge of police gunfire. In a separate incident, four other Chicago police officers fired a total of 96 rounds in 41 seconds at Dexter Reed after he supposedly shot at them first, according to WTTW News. The CPD has affirmed their cooperation with COPA's ongoing probe into this use of force, which contrasts sharply with the alleged concealment and illegal conduct of Fair, Morrow, Taylor, and Collins.
COPA's findings on the officers' behavior were damning; they allegedly pocketed drugs and money during a verification stop on June 15, 2021, actions that were partially captured on a body camera. Additionally, Fair faces felony charges of official misconduct and obstruction of justice in Cook County criminal court for lying about the circumstances of another gun case.
Tim Grace, the attorney representing the accused officers, asserted their innocence and intention to contest the disciplinary actions. "They committed no crimes and look forward to presenting their disciplinary case," Grace told the Chicago Sun-Times. Furthermore, the alleged improper retrieval of a gun used in a Kentucky murder and the subsequent release of the murder suspect has added complexity to the case. Although Cook County prosecutors and the FBI have declined to prosecute the officers, COPA has remained firm on its call for their dismissal.
In the aftermath of these events, COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten received support from Police Supt. Larry Snelling to proceed with the firing of the officers implicated in the report dated May 10. This decision comes at a time when the efficacy and integrity of Chicago's tactical units are under intense debate, especially following the police shooting of Dexter Reed. Activist groups, such as Good Kids Mad City, have been vocal in their demands for action, stating "We demand the tactical units be banned and Mayor [Brandon] Johnson, Supt. Snelling and COPA fire the officers," according to an account by Miracle Boyd.
As the city struggles with accountability and trust within its law enforcement, both the alleged malpractices of Fair, Morrow, Taylor, and Collins and the harrowing shooting involving Reed serve as pivotal moments, showcasing the challenges faced by the Chicago Police Department and the community it serves.
