Suspended Chicago police officer Anthony Abbate was recently sentenced for his attack on a female bartender in February 2007. The police officer received 2 years probation and no jail time for the offense.
The victim, Karolina Obrycka, says that she now fears the police. Is her fear justified? Some people may believe that it is justified based on the actions of Officer Abbate and of the Chicago Police Department.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Police Department tried to charge fellow officer Abbate with a misdemeanor instead of a felony at the time of the attack. The Department’s attempt to charge Abbate with a lesser charge failed because a security video tape of the incident surfaced which enraged the public.
The Police Department was accused of trying to cover up not only the Abbate incident but also the criminal behavior of other police officers. Mayor Daley forced Superintendent Philip Cline to retire as a result of the cover ups.
The current Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department has recommended that Abbate, who is currently suspended from the force, be fired. That is a fairly easy recommendation to agree with and the Independent Police Review Authority has also recommended his dismissal.
But, what about the officers who attempted to charge Abbate with a lesser offense? Should they be disciplined? Is this an example of police misconduct that violates the public trust?