After a disturbing altercation was captured on video, a Chicago police lieutenant has been stripped of his policing authority.
A police lieutenant in Chicago has had his police powers revoked following a disturbing altercation that was captured on video.
In a recent interview with FOX 32, the individual who captured the footage shared their experience. They expressed concerns about potential retaliation and therefore preferred to remain anonymous, given that this is not the first instance where this officer has faced accusations of misconduct.
During the incident that happened on July 12, an off-duty officer was caught on camera hurling a racial slur during a heated argument.
As the video plays, a man wearing a blue shirt can be heard using a racial slur. Interestingly, on the same night, this same individual was involved in yet another altercation with a different person on a rooftop in downtown Chicago. During this second incident, the individual he was arguing with identified him as a police officer.
Raheem was the one who captured the incident on his cellphone. He didn’t hesitate to confront the man in blue right then and there. After a few days, Raheem shared the video on Instagram, which gained thousands of views and prompted an investigation.
Raheem expressed his uncertainty on how to react to the situation, as the police were involved and he was affected by it even though they were not speaking to him directly. He felt like he was in a strange position, not sure how to channel his emotions. “I really didn’t know how to react because it’s like, I know they the police and he’s not talking to me, but it’s still affecting me. So it had me feeling in a weird position, like I’m upset and I don’t know how to direct my anger,” Raheem said.
The Chicago Police Department has relieved Lt. Andrew Dakuras of his police powers after an incident that is currently under investigation by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. With 29 years of experience in the police force, Dakuras is now the subject of the ongoing investigation.
According to Raheem, it is crucial that authorities take the complaints seriously and give due consideration to the officers they have. He emphasized that these officers are the ones who are responsible for arresting members of their communities, and as such, it is imperative that they are trustworthy and competent.
Dakuras has made headlines before, and it’s not the first time.
Back in 2016, during the Chicago Cubs’ World Series celebration, Dakuras was accused of using excessive force when a man was tackled and beaten. Four years later, in 2021, a federal jury found him guilty of the charges, and the victim was awarded $53,000 in damages. This incident added to Dakuras’ already concerning record, as he had 73 complaints of similar nature against him at that time.
Back in 2019, Dakuras was recognized for his heroism along with two other officers in a heartwarming video where they rescued a woman under attack. Despite the turmoil, this moment stands out as a positive highlight in Dakuras’ police history.