Police Union To Pay For Jon Burge's Federal Defense

The union representing Chicago's police officers has decided to pay for the criminal defense of indicted former detective Cmdr. Jon Burge, who is facing federal prosecution, accused of lying about torturing suspects, Fraternal Order of Police officials confirmed Thursday.

Burge, 60, was indicted in October on perjury and obstruction charges that say he lied to federal authorities about the alleged torture of suspects in his custody during the 1980s and 1990s. He was fired in 1993 amid mounting allegations of torture, but had never charged criminally.

FOP President Mark Donahue confirmed that the union board voted Tuesday to provide funds for Burge's defense. But Donahue declined to comment further Thursday, saying he would have a more complete statement on the issue Friday.

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Comments

[MilesLong]

It is actions like this that not only immediately cast doubt on the actions of any officers accused of wrong doing from the onset, but it reinforces the notion that the citizenry cannot expect equal justice under the law. The principle reason people have a knee-jerk, negative reaction to the police is that those who do have legitimate grievances are attacked, harassed and vilified in the press by FOP or department spokes people, often without regard for the facts. It's hard enough being a cop without those who know better stepping in it at every turn in their, so called, "defense."

[postman606]

As a long time member of FOP LODGE 7 I want the union reps who voted for this to know that I will be working hard to ensure they are not re-elected.

[jfk100]

I cann't tell you how it embarasses me to think that FOP would endorse/support Burge. I dont know where your heads are. Burge is nothing short of a thug. Respectfully I would suggest that ,apparently, the membeship who voted in support of Burge, are being mislead or misunderstand the difference between the many heroic tough rightly motivated cops that had been the backbone of the CPD., and some sadistic jerk who hurts people because he receives some sort of morbid satisfaction.
Please reconsider, this endorsement is wrong, you are not supporting some guy that simply made a mistake, trying to do right. And any of you area two detectives that are supporting this action, should really think twice about the man. Do you really want police to consider this jerks the kind of guy you should support? There was a time when there were real police heroes, guys you love/loved to do the job, guys who saw the job as a calling. Again please don't cheapen the CPD and the union.

[postman606]

I think if you go back and read my post you will understand that I do NOT AGREE with the Union reps and plan and working hard to help defeat them. Burge left a stain on this department and has skirted justice for far too long.

[Eric8869]

Hooked on phonics didn't work for you

[stevebest]

I can think of no way to cheapen the chicago police. It is a well Known fact that the cpd will kill you if you are beaten, tortured or raped concider yourself lucky you could be like Michael Pleasance shot dead on camera in a public place. Officer Alvin Weems was promoted to detective ev4en though you can clearly see from the camera his report was complete fiction. The idea that a few bad apples ruin the institution is absurd you find a decent man working for any police department you have an exeption not the rule, remember the cpt doesnt hire anyone with an iq over 112 so you cant expect much from them, but you have to remember that ignorence and violence go hand in hand.

[Eric8869]

This man has helped ruin the Reputation of the Chicago Police Department and Chicago. They want to represent him???? This just shows that nothing has changed with the Chicago Police Department.

Cover up, Abuse - it just goes on and on. Taking care of "their own" instead of doing what's right.

You can drink and drive, kill people and your 'brothers" can wait 7 hours to give you a breathalyzer test etc.

The rule of law only applies to the public not to the Chicago Police.