CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago’s top cop said a total of 21 officers have been placed in a “no-pay” status after refusing to comply with the city’s vaccine mandate, and he’s pleading with more of them to reconsider for their own safety.
"I will say and do anything to save an officer's life," said Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown.
Supt. Brown said many officers have been fed misinformation about the vaccine and city mandate - in some cases from their own union leaders.
"More than any other reason, officers have been struck by this virus and passed and died from this virus," Brown said.
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He compares it to gunfire, and said officers refusing to protect themselves from the virus are violating the oath they made to protect the City of Chicago.
"Without the vaccination and/or testing, we risk community harm, harm with peers, and officers and their families," Brown said.
Brown says this is about saving lives.
"We are sworn to protect these people in the communities. It would go against our oath to take this virus into their homes," he said.
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According to city data, 67 percent of officers have entered their vaccination status into the city's online portal. Of them, 82 percent are vaccinated.
Brown added that some officers who were put on unpaid leave have returned to their jobs after being vaccinated.
The head of the Fraternal Order of Police had urged members to defy the requirement. The city and union have taken the battle to court.
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