Jason Van Dyke
The city's inspector general had originally recommended 10 officers be fired.
News of his hiring comes days after the Chicago mayor named a new interim police chief in a bid to reform the department.
Jason Van Dyke faces six counts of first-degree murder and one of official misconduct in the 17-year-old's death.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
One activist called on people to "rise up" and shut down the Magnificent Mile shopping area on Friday.
The president said he was "deeply disturbed" by video of Laquan McDonald's killing.
The city's police department has a long history of failing to hold its officers accountable.
A Burger King manager says police deleted the restaurant's surveillance video, but police say they have no idea what happened.
