Controversial Chicago police union president retires as cop

Posted By: Nora Inman
November 17, 2021 @ 11:00 am
Feature, Local News

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara speaks to reporters as he walks out of a Chicago Police Board hearing in the Loop, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Chicago. Catanzara said Monday he'll retire from the force amid a disciplinary hearing that could have ended with his firing. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) — Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara speaks to reporters as he walks out of a Chicago Police Board hearing in the Loop, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, in Chicago. Catanzara said Monday he’ll retire from the force amid a disciplinary hearing that could have ended with his firing. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

CHICAGO (AP) — The head of Chicago’s largest police union has carried out his promise to retire from the force rather than go through with a disciplinary hearing that could have ended with him being fired.

In documents posted online, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara on Tuesday submitted the paperwork to retire from the department after 27 years as a police officer. The 53-year-old’s retirement announcement came Monday, during a three-day Chicago Police Board hearing on incendiary comments he made online.

Catanzara plans to remain president of the union and says he will run against Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2023.