Chicago officer who shot teen amassed 18 civilian complaints
CHICAGO — The white Chicago police officer charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a black teenager was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force, police and court records show.
Complaints against police are not uncommon. But the number filed against Jason Van Dyke was high, and at least one was linked to a civil trial where jurors awarded damages to someone he arrested.
Van Dyke's lawyer, Daniel Herbert, did not return a message left Wednesday by The Associated Press seeking comment about the complaints.
After the complaints were filed, the 37-year-old Van Dyke, who joined the department in June 2001, denied every allegation. None of the complaints resulted in disciplinary action. A closer look at some of the cases:
READ MORE: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-o...
Complaints against police are not uncommon. But the number filed against Jason Van Dyke was high, and at least one was linked to a civil trial where jurors awarded damages to someone he arrested.
Van Dyke's lawyer, Daniel Herbert, did not return a message left Wednesday by The Associated Press seeking comment about the complaints.
After the complaints were filed, the 37-year-old Van Dyke, who joined the department in June 2001, denied every allegation. None of the complaints resulted in disciplinary action. A closer look at some of the cases:
READ MORE: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/chicago-o...