The head of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police says any uniformed cop who takes a knee while on-duty to join with protestors will be booted from the union.
John Catanzara says that if officers want to side with the demonstrations, they should do it on their own time and out of uniform.
During an interview with WGN radio, Catanzara said “Any member of Lodge 7 who is going to take a knee and basically side with protesters while they’re in uniform will subject themselves to discipline in the lodge up to and including expulsion from Lodge 7.”
In a follow-up interview with Chicago’s Fox 32, Catanzara points out that demonstrators are demanding that the police force be defunded and dismantled.
He says “specifically this weekend. This was about defunding and abolishing the police officers. And you’re going to take a knee for that? It’s ridiculous.”
Cops who are booted out of the union can still remain on the job, but will not be guaranteed the collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the city and the fraternal order.