Settlement Reached In Police ‘Code Of Silence’ Case, As Trial Was Set To Begin

By Patrick Smith
Skeptics Doubt New Chicago Video Policy Will Rebuild Trust
FILE: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel participates in a panel discussion entitled: Reducing Violence and Strengthening Police/Community Trust, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington. AP Photo/Cliff Owen
Skeptics Doubt New Chicago Video Policy Will Rebuild Trust
FILE: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel participates in a panel discussion entitled: Reducing Violence and Strengthening Police/Community Trust, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington. AP Photo/Cliff Owen

Settlement Reached In Police ‘Code Of Silence’ Case, As Trial Was Set To Begin

By Patrick Smith
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A jury trial over the “code of silence” within the Chicago Police Department was scheduled to start Tuesday.

Federal judge Gary Feinerman ruled that Mayor Rahm Emanuel would have to testify in the case. But a $2 million settlement now means the mayor will not have to.

The city was being sued by two officers who say they were retaliated against for telling on dirty cops who were shaking down drug dealers. They claim their careers were ruined for violating the longstanding “code of silence.”

For years the city had denied the code of silence existed. But then in December Emanuel went before the city council and admitted that there is indeed a thin blue line in Chicago. That is why the judge ordered Emanuel submit to questioning before the jury - despite the best efforts of city attorneys.