Chicago police, COPA investigate alleged officer-migrant sexual relationships
Chicago probes sex misconduct allegation against officers involving migrant living at police station
Chicago police are investigating sexual misconduct allegations against officers involving a migrant who was living in a police station after arriving in the city, Chicagos police oversight agency said Friday.
CHICAGO - Chicago police have initiated an investigation after allegations surfaced of sexual relationships occurring between officers and migrants who have come to the city seeking asylum.
According to reports, four officers have allegedly been engaging in sexual relations with migrants who were living in the Ogden District police station on Chicago's West Side.
FOX 32 reached out to the Chicago Police Department and a spokesperson responded, saying an investigation into the allegations was underway.
"These allegations are under investigation with CPD's Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability," the spokesperson said.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) says it learned of the sexual misconduct allegations on Thursday and notified CPD’s BIA.
"While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved," said COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy, in a statement Friday.
State Representative Chuy Garcia also released a statement Friday saying that some of the migrants these allegations are referring to were teenagers.
"Our migrant neighbors came to Chicago seeking safety and stability. Police officers are sworn to protect our communities, not engage in illegal sexual conduct with teenagers and others in their care," Garcia said.
A spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson's office said they are monitoring the situation closely but cannot comment since the investigation is ongoing.
"The City takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously," the spokesperson said.
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As of last week, 4,988 immigrants were staying at 12 makeshift city-run shelters, and an additional 650 individuals remained at police stations waiting for a shelter bed. In total, about 11,000 immigrants have come through Chicago as they seek asylum in the U.S.
On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced he had appointed Beatriz Ponce de Leon as the new Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights.
If anyone has information related to this incident, they are asked to contact COPA at 312-746-3609 or visit www.chicagocopa.org.