Outrage After Fraternal Order of Police Hires Officer Charged in Killing Chicago Teen

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2014 frame from dash-cam video provided by the Chicago Police Department, Laquan McDonald, right, walks down the street moments before being shot by officer Jason Van Dyke 16 times in Chicago. Chicago officials released hundreds of emails Thursday Dec. 31, 2015 related to the video that wasn't released until more than a year after the shooting. The emails, including some between city officials asking how they should respond to demands for the video, were released to media outlets that have been pressing for the documents for weeks. (Chicago Police Department via AP, File)

By Andrew Simontacchi

Andrew Simontacchi

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April 1, 2016Updated: April 1, 2016

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Outrage has ensued after a Chicago police officer charged with murder for the 2014 shooting of a black teenager—was hired to work for Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police as a janitor while awaiting trial.

Jason Van Dyke was suspended without pay by the Chicago Police Department after being charged with the murder of Laquan McDonald in 2015. After word spread of his hiring by the Fraternal Order of Police, many expressed outrage; some even protested outside the FOP’s headquarters.

The F.O.P. has just Hired VAN DYKE, yes the cop who murdered Laquan McDonald….The Police Union says to Chicago…we…

Posted by Father Michael Pfleger on Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The F.O.P. just declared war with the people of Chicago. The ultimate slap in the face is to hire a man who shot a child sixteen times

— Jedidiah Brown (@livelifefreed) March 31, 2016

Asking the president of FOP to resign. No comment from Dean Angelo yet about hiring Van Dyke. @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/aYchmxl5wR

— Leah Hope (@leahhopeABC7) March 31, 2016

He might be on the roof, he might be in the office, he does anything we need.

— Dean Angelo, President, Fraternal Order of Police

Several media outlets have reported that Van Dyke will make $12 an hour—making just above what an unarmed security guard is paid.

A Nov. 24, 2015, photo of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged with first degree murder after a squad car video caught him fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. (Cook County Sheriff's Office via AP) — A Nov. 24, 2015, photo of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged with first degree murder after a squad car video caught him fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. (Cook County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

According to the police union’s president, Dean Angelo, the order hired him about three weeks ago, saying:

“Due to the notoriety of the incident, the ongoing threats of harm and intimidation and other issues caused him to become completely unemployable. Furthermore, after several threats against the safety of his spouse and her clients, his wife was forced to shut down her family-run business; resulting in zero household income.”

“For anyone to believe that the lodge entered into this arrangement without consideration and forethought is improper and shortsighted. Accuracy under these circumstances is paramount to truly grasping the significance to the decision made.”

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