In Chicago, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police says his organization will try to intervene in a recent lawsuit that alleges inequalities in how Chicago police deploy officers in minority neighborhoods. According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, FOP president Michael Shields gave a speech at the City Club of Chicago on the topic.

Shields told the audience that remapping police beats and districts should be decided by city officials, police associations, and the community, as opposed to the American Civil Liberties Union and a single Cook County judge.

In what were described as wide-ranging remarks, Shields compared the city's handling of police manpower to "Enron accounting."

Shields went on to question why the city agreed to host the NATO and G-8 summits next year. "Why on earth are we doing this? ... London, England, Toronto, Canada all have hosted G-8 summits. All have seen riots," Shields told the group.

"Chicago is an easily accessible international travel hub ... very easy to get to. That alone makes G-8 a bad idea.

"If we struggle to stop 14-year-olds from shooting each other, how prepared are we to control riots and agitators in this town?"

A recent lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Illinois alleged that the deployment of Chicago police officers results in slower response times to 911 calls in primarily black and Hispanic neighborhoods when compared with service in largely white communities.

The law firm of Sidley Austin is assisting the ACLU in the litigation.

Shields alleged that Sidley Austin had a conflict of interest, citing its role over the summer in a review of the city's policies of lending credit cards to city employees.

In addition, Shields also pointed out that one of the law firm's partners sits on the Chicago Police Board, the body that has input on disciplinary matters.
Shields, 34, is a patrol officer. He was elected to lead the FOP Lodge this year and is also a trustee on the police pension board.

"It's tough when all the stories are about bigwigs and the clouted doing what they can to milk every dollar out of the system for themselves," Shields said.

"I wish the pension debate would focus on the hardworking police officers who had a calling for public service. I can tell you personally that those young men and women like me were enticed by the promise of a modest pension in turn for bad working conditions, bad working hours, violence, injuries and the very real possibility of being killed or maimed at work."

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written by Chicago law office, January 23, 2012

But the Fraternal Order of Police also evaluated Morrison on his extensive business acumen. Over the last 26 years, Morrison has developed, acquired, and sold more than fourteen companies.

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