Chicago Cop Under Investigation Again Over Social Media Posts

 

Officer John Catanzara describes himself as a “give no f#$%s, say it like it is man.” His Facebook and Instagram posts have prompted investigations.

by Jodi S. Cohen

In September, Chicago Police Officer John Catanzara made headlines after posting on Facebook a picture of himself, in uniform, holding an American flag and a homemade sign that read, “I stand for the anthem. I love the American flag. I support my president and the 2nd Amendment.”

He was reprimanded for violating rules that prohibit officers from making political statements while on duty. But if that discipline was intended to change his ways on social media, Catanzara instead is living up to the words he uses to describe himself on Facebook: “A give no f#$%s, say it like it is man.”

Since he was disciplined last fall, the veteran officer has remained outspoken and defiant, posting inflammatory material about women, welfare recipients and those who disagree with his politics.

He has tangled with Facebook users who question him. “Keep listening for that knock on the door,” he responded to one critic.

And, more than once, he has boasted that he will continue to avoid serious punishment. Police superintendents have twice tried to fire him, though he appealed the efforts and won.

“The police dept didn't and CAN'T fire me,” he wrote last fall, after the flag post went viral.

Now, ProPublica Illinois has learned that the city's police watchdog agency is conducting two investigations into Catanzara's social media conduct in response to allegations of verbal abuse and coercion for comments he made on Facebook and Instagram. 

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Source: ProPublica