Union Lobbies For Chicago Cop Charged In Capitol Insurrection

CHICAGO — A second Vice President of the Chicago chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police says the organization supports the efforts of a Chicago police officer to keep his job after he was charged in June in connection with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Officer Karol Chwiesiuk, 29, was charged with five misdemeanor crimes earlier this summer after federal authorities maintained that the officer took part in the riot at the Capitol and then used a racial slur in bragging to his activities on Jan. 6, officials said.

Federal law enforcement officials said that Chwiesiuk texted a friend to say he had “knocked a commie” followed by (racial slur) don’t snitch, according to the the criminal complaint issued when Chwiesiuk was charged in June.

Chwiesiuk has yet to enter a plea and was released by a judge following his first court appearance. However, as part of his release, Chwiesiuk was ordered to not have any guns in his home and surrender his firearm owner ID card that is required by Illinois law. In court documents, Chwiesiuk requests to regain possession of his FOID card without which he can keep his job with the Chicago Police Department.

In a letter sent filed with court documents on Chwiesiuk’s behalf, Daniel Gorman, a second vice president with the Chicago chapter of the FOP, wrote that Chwiesiuk had contacted the FOP about his job status and regarding wages.

In the letter, dated July 20, Gorman said that Chwiesiuk is an active member of the FOP and is entitled to rights under the contract the FOP has with the City of Chicago. Gorman said that Chwiesiuk being in possession of his FOID card is a condition of his employment.

A judge has not yet ruled whether the card will be returned to Chwiesiuk, CNN reported on Tuesday. The letter states that once Chwiesiuk is successful in obtaining possession of his card, he should request an assignment from the Chicago Police Department. Gorman said at that time, the union can start the grievance process to get the officer into a pay-status.

Chwiesiuk was most recently assigned to the Harrison Police District. He has since been suspended of his police powers and reassigned to desk duty, news reports said.

"The fact that a Chicago police officer has been charged in that attack on American democracy makes my blood boil, makes me sick to my stomach," CPD Supt., David Brown said in a news conference. "And yes, if these allegations are true, it breaks my heart. Participating in the siege on the Capitol in any way was a betrayal of everything we stand for, the oath (and) the law."

The police officer's attorney, Tim Grace, said that Chwiesiuk has been a Chicago police officer since 2018. Prior to that, he worked in the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

Grace said his client followed the crowd into the building, and, after a pleasant conversation with a U.S. Capitol police officer, left when asked to leave, the Chicago Tribune reported.