Chicago's police board is delaying disciplinary proceedings for four officers accused of filing false reports in the shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald. Whatever discipline the officers face will wait until after the trial of the officer charged in the shooting.
The officers have been suspended without pay since last summer when Superintendent Eddie Johnson moved to fire them. Johnson contends their version of the 2014 incident in which Officer Jason Van Dyke shot McDonald 16 times contradicts what unfolds on a dashboard camera video.
Monday's police board decision means the offices will start getting paid again. However, department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says Johnson doesn't plan to let the officers return to street duty.
Attorneys for Van Dyke and the other officers requested the proceedings be delayed out of concern their statements could prejudice the Van Dyke criminal case.
