Emanuel Says Officer In Rhymefest Incident Will Be Disciplined

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says a police officer will be disciplined following inappropriate treatment of a Chicago hip hop artist this weekend. Che “Rhymefest” Smith said he was robbed at gunpoint while sitting in his car early Saturday morning, but when he went to a South Side police station to report it, he says officers weren’t in any hurry to help. Rhymefest tweeted a video that included part of this exchange, which has since been retweeted over 2,000 times. Emanuel told reporters Monday this incident shows there is work to be done within the police department.

WBEZ’s Lauren Chooljian reports.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says a police officer will be disciplined following inappropriate treatment of a Chicago hip hop artist this weekend.

Che “Rhymefest” Smith said he was robbed at gunpoint while sitting in his car early Saturday morning, but when he went to a South Side police station to report it, he says officers weren’t in any hurry to help. Rhymefest tweeted a video that included part of this exchange, which has since been retweeted over 2,000 times.

Emanuel told reporters Monday this incident shows there is work to be done within the police department.

“[Rhymefest] is the victim of a crime, therefore deserves a different type of treatment, both as a citizen of the city of Chicago, and somebody who’s turned to the police for help,” Rhymefest said.

The mayor says he guarantees officers won’t treat another resident like this. The Chicago Police Department has since apologized to Rhymefest, both on Twitter and on the phone.