Sep 7, 2006 11:18 pm US/Central
Four Cops Arrested In Corruption Investigation
Charges Include Armed Violence, Home Invasion, Kidnapping
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chicago Police Officer Carl Suchocki is one of four officers facing felony charges.
CBS
Four Chicago police officers are facing felony charges after prosecutors alleged they illegally used their badges to intimidate people and get into residents' homes.
Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine says the charges against the officers include armed violence, home invasion, aggravated kidnapping and delivery of a controlled substance.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports the officers are in custody in Cook County Jail awaiting a court appearance on Friday.
"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.
The officers charged are 43-year-old Jerome Finnigan, 28-year-old Keith Herrera, 32-year-old Thomas Sherry and 32-year-old Carl Suchocki.
Just one year ago, Suchocki was one of several Chicago police officers who helped Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans.
Now he and the others are accused of robbing the homes of reported drug dealers and innocent citizens.
"Using the police badge essentially to intimidate and get into the homes of people is certainly a dramatic and key element of what we are talking about," Devine said.
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.
"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.
But he declined to release many details of the case until after the officers' court appearance on Friday. If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.
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.
Police officials said the investigation into the officers began in August 2004 and involves numerous cases, victims and witnesses.
(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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