The Chicago Police Department has ordered most of its force into uniform and warned them of potentially longer hours and canceled days off as the city prepares to release a video of Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
The plan is not unprecedented, and similar plans have been made in the past when the department expects massive protests or potential for civil unrest.
“We are prepared for demonstrations, let’s put it that way,” Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said Tuesday morning. “My mantra is going to be the same one that it always is, which is really simple. We’re going to facilitate and protect people’s First Amendment right to free speech and we’re going to be intolerant of criminal behavior.
“We do know that there are other people from other parts of the country who may want to cause problems, and we expect that,” he added. “It’s going to happen on any national stage, and Chicago certainly is a national stage. We’re prepared for it. We’ve trained for it.”
Van Dyke was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the shooting. State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said she moved up her announcement of charges after a Cook County judge ruled last week that police dash-cam video of the incident should be released to the public.
The city has been ordered to release the video no later than Wednesday.
“I don’t think there’s any such thing as a good video of a police shooting,” McCarthy said. “We’re talking about a loss of life here, and no matter what the circumstance, I don’t know how you could characterize it as good.”
Detectives, tactical teams and other officers in the city who normally wear civilian clothing were ordered to wear uniforms through Nov. 29, according to an internal department order obtained by the Tribune. Officers who went through “riot control training” also will be required to have their riot gear ready if needed.
Detectives may end up patrolling “critical facilities” or processing arrests, according to the order. Some will still be available to respond to shootings or other major incidents not connected with any protests.
Forensic services division officers may get called to help photograph arrestees or film protests, the order stated.
Foot patrol officers assigned to the two downtown districts — which cover roughly the area between Fullerton Avenue and 31st Street, east of the Kennedy and Dan Ryan Expressways — were told they may have their hours adjusted or extended.
Officers who volunteer for overtime in areas of the South and West sides that see the most shootings may be moved elsewhere in the city.
“I anticipate it’s going to be busy,” McCarthy said. “I mean, this is democracy in action.”
