Chicago Police Union slams top cop for boycotting Trump's upcoming speech: 'We do not engage in political activity'
One of Chicago's top cop's decision to skip Donald Trump's upcoming address to officers has been labeled "wrong" and a "politically motivated move by a police union official".
Superintendent Eddie Johnson decided to not attend the International Association of Chiefs of Police's annual convention, where the US president is scheduled to speak next week.
However, the city's Fraternal Order of Police, a union that represents thousands of police officers, has voted a "no confidence" motion against him, reported Fox news.
Appearing on 'Fox & Friends', Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham shared with host Steve Doocy that Johnson's decision about Trump's address didn't sit well with him.
"He is the president of the United States. And, the reality of this is there are plenty of times I've sat listening to speeches that I didn't care for, and I certainly didn't walk out on them," he said.
Graham went on to note that the city of Chicago has "derived a great deal of support" from the president, especially when it comes to ATF agents and federal prosecutors that "prosecute our gun laws because our local prosecutor hasn't done the job."
"And, it's driven down the crime. Last month we took a thousand guns off the street. Last month alone," he added.
The news comes after Johnson had to undergo investigation by the city's inspector general for falling asleep at the wheel of a car.
The incident happened last week and even though it was initially credited to a possible change in his blood pressure, Mayor Lori Lightfoot later shared with the Chicago Sun-Times that Johnson had admitted he had had "a couple of drinks with dinner" before driving.
While it is uncertain whether the investigation influenced the vote, the union has refused to adhere to Johnson's decision to "disrespect" the president.
"Such a gesture would be an insult to both President Trump and the office of the presidency itself and would be a mark of disgrace upon the city through the entire nation, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot," the union shared on a Facebook post.
Johnson issued a statement on Wednesday, October 23, saying that he "understand[s] and respect[s]" the board's disapproval with his decision to not stand by the president.
"As police officers, our job is to be the voice or the voiceless and ambassadors to the communities that we serve," he said. "I can't in good conscience stand by while racial insults and hatred are cast from the oval office, or Chicago is held hostage because of our views on New Americans."
Johnson's spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that "The values of the people of Chicago are more important to [Johnson] than anything that could be discussed at that speech."
Graham also told Doocy: "He has said that he has problems with President Trump. And, my feeling is, there are plenty of people that I have problems with but, the reality is when police officers are out on the street, we do not engage in political activity."
"The reality is that we are here to enforce the laws and, unfortunately, the police department doesn't get to choose which laws they want to enforce. We try to enforce them impartially and if you want laws changed, you go to that body and try to change them," he added.