ROCKFORD Residents are on edge ahead of a verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, and local police say they have contingency plans in place in case of unrest.
Rockford activist Jay Ware said he is scared of how people might react if Chauvin is found not guilty and what it would say about justice in the United States. I am very apprehensive, Ware said. I think there is probably a 50-50 chance that justice is going to happen. I think the guy is guilty, but I just don’t have very much faith in the system.
Ware and other activists said a not guilty verdict in the face of what they view as overwhelming evidence against Chauvin the Minneapolis police officer who was accused of murder after he knelt on a handcuffed George Floyd s neck for more than 9 minutes as he died would signal that there is no justice in America.
ROCKFORD Police Chief Dan O Shea on Tuesday announced that he will retire April 30 after five years leading the Rockford Police Department.
O Shea said in a news release that he is proud of the progress the department has made during his tenure.
“My goal when I came to Rockford in 2016 was to focus on building relationships while reducing crime, O Shea said. We are doing that. We are making an incredible and tangible impact with our ROCK Houses and our programs for the area’s youth, and I know that will continue after my retirement.”
O Shea is credited f improving the city s fractured relationship with the union representing Rockford police officers and improving department morale. He made an effort to improve relationships between police and community while asking law enforcement to focus on the worst offenders deemed responsible for violence in the city.
ROCKFORD (WREX) A major change of leadership is underway in Rockford. Police Chief Dan O Shea says he will leave this year, but has not announced a date.
He did release a statement on Wednesday saying: “Ever since I was hired, 2021 was the year that I expected to leave. As of today, I have not announced a date. When I leave, I firmly believe that the Rockford Police Department will be in a far better position than when I arrived.”
The city says it hasn t received any formal notification from O Shea on his status as chief, but city leaders sat down with 13 News to look back at O Shea s tenure and what comes next.
ROCKFORD Winnebago County State s Attorney J. Hanley has dropped charges against a Rockford police officer who had been accused of roughing up a protester.
Officer Frank Fabiani had been charged with misdemeanor battery following the June 27 arrest of William “Sage” Patrick Gettings, a 22-year-old Belvidere activist who had been accused of resisting arrest, spitting on an officer and trying to take Fabiani s gun out of its holster.
Authorities say Gettings had not complied with the Fabiani s commands during a traffic stop before a confrontation ensued. Later, charges against Gettings were dropped and charges of battery were filed against Fabiani.
Hanley says that after a review he has dropped charges against Fabiani and decided not to reinstate charges against Gettings.