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by Suzanne Le Mignot
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Bond is set for millions of dollars for the four Chicago Police officers who are accused of illegally using their badges to intimidate people and get into residents' homes, as CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.

The officers shook their heads in disbelief when they heard their bonds read aloud. One relative even shouted, "why?" when she heard the words, $3 miilion" said by the judge.

Those prosecuting this case, see things differently.

"These rogue officers deliberately planned to intimidate and steal from the people of our community, simply to line their own pockets," said Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine.

Devine is talking about four Chicago Police officers who appeared in bond court Friday.

A judge ordered 17-year department veteran and alleged crime leader officer Jerome Finnigan held on $3 million bond. The same was set for officer Keith Herrera. Officer Thomas Sherry's bond was set at $2 million and Officer Carl Suchocki's was set at $1.5 million.

Attorneys for all four officers spoke of their numerous awards of valor, commendations, and heroic efforts, asking for their bonds to be set between $50,000 and $100,000 each.

"With all respect to the judge, I thought it was a bond that was all too high for the situation," said defense attorney Tom Breen.

Prosecutors say the officers from the elite "special operations section," abused their authority to terrorize and steal from people. Prosecutors say the men allegedly forced their way into homes of drug dealers and ordinary citizens. They allegedly took everything from drugs to guns and in come cases thousands of dollars in cash.

"I don't know who's making these allegations," said Breen. "There was a summary of someone outside of court making allegations, but we don't know the specifics."

The prosecution also detailed case after case where the officers never showed up in court to testify, which allowed alleged drug dealers to go free.

Devine said it is not known how many cases are affected by this at this point and if cases in the system can be challenged because of the officers alleged previous involvement.

Multiple felony counts have been brought against 43-year-old Finnigan, 28-year-old Herrera, 32-year-old Sherry and 32-year-old Suchocki. The charges against the officers include armed violence, home invasion, aggravated kidnapping and delivery of a controlled substance. If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.

"We didn't just look at one case. Rather, we looked at the activities and the numerous violations and complaints we had received on these officers as a whole, "said Debra Kirby with the Chicago Police Department's Internal Affairs.

Just one year ago, Suchocki was one of several Chicago police officers who helped Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans.

Investigators say the tip-off came when the officers repeatedly failed to testify in court causing the dismissal of the criminal cases without credible excuses. Four lawsuits that have been filed in federal court by citizens is what partially led the Internal Affairs investigation to take place.

"These officers failing to show up in court was a red flag for us as to what was going on here," said Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline.

The Cook County State's Attorney Office is now reviewing dozens of criminal cases to see if the officers charged were involved and if those cases have to be dropped.

Devine says the officers are part of the department's Special Operations Section, which focuses on gang and drug crimes.

Cline says the officers will be suspended without pay and the department will move to fire them.

"Officers who violate the public trust will be held accountable," Cline said.

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