The board of directors of the Fraternal Order of Police has issued a vote of no confidence in Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown and First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter, the union representing rank-and-file officers said Wednesday.
FOP President John Catanzara cited growing frustrations with officers’ working conditions as a reason for the vote. On numerous occasions over the last year, officers have had days off canceled and were switched to 12-hour shifts in preparation for possible demonstrations or unrest.
Catanzara said there’s been a “lack of consideration” for officers’ family and social lives.
“Too many of our officers have worked extended hours not voluntarily but forced and the compensation for starters is the same whether you volunteer or not — that makes absolutely no sense but the department doesn’t give a damn,” Catanzara said.
Thursday, at an unrelated news conference about community investment in Auburn Gresham, Lightfoot was asked about the vote.
The mayor responded by slamming the union for dragging out contract talks, costing members thousands in back pay.
“We are on the cusp of four years since the FOP contract expired. Four years,” Lightfoot said. “They’re refusing to come to the table and bargain.”
Catanzara, she said, is stonewalling because he doesn’t want to deal with police reform, some aspects of which would be incorporated into a new contract.
“He says his strategy is to do nothing,” Lightfoot said. “Getting a vote of ‘no confidence’ from that guy is a badge of honor. Accepted.”
The last time rank-and-file officers issued a no confidence vote was in 2019 with then-Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.
