By John Dempsey, WLS News
(CHICAGO) Mayor Rahm Emanuel says a lot of Chicago police officers are being less aggressive in fighting crime, because they don’t want to end up on You Tube.
The mayor tells reporters he’s talked with officers who say as it becomes easier for members of the public to record video and post it online, police are under a microscope every time they have an encounter with the public. He also says to protect themselves, police are avoiding a lot of encounters entirely, and letting potential criminals get away. Emanuel says, “When you see a situation do you stop, and officers will tell you, officers themselves are telling me about news over the last 15 months has impacted their instincts. Do they stop, or do they keep driving? When I stop here, is it gonna be my career on the line?”
Chicago Police Union President Dean Angelo says cops are not loafing on the job, but they are aware they could be recorded at any minute.
Emanuel blames the less aggressive policing as one reason Chicago crime is up.
Murders in Chicago are up 21 percent over this time last year.
@ 2015 WLS News
