(Source : WBEZ Chicago) Activists, elected officials, and residents gathered Sunday in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood to call on Mayor Brandon Johnson to take immediate action against police officers with ties to the Oath Keepers, an extremist anti-government militia group. The group also urged the mayor to form a task force to address the issue and reopen investigations into the eight officers reportedly linked to the group.
The event, held at Movement on Montrose (2951 W. Montrose), came after a recent report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) raised serious concerns about the investigation conducted by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) into the officers’ connections to the Oath Keepers. The OIG’s review found significant flaws in the department’s handling of the case and recommended that the investigation be reopened.
“The OIG’s office has compared this scandal to a time in the 1960s when a CPD officer was fired for being a KKK member,” said Grace Patino of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, a key organizer of the rally. “This is not normal, and it should not be allowed to continue.”
Despite an internal investigation by the CPD’s Bureau of Internal Affairs that began in October 2023, none of the officers faced any disciplinary action. The investigation was closed earlier this year, a decision that has drawn widespread criticism. In July, the OIG reviewed the findings and pointed to “deficiencies materially affecting the outcome” of the CPD’s probe, urging both a reopening of the case and the creation of a task force to address the broader issue of extremism within the department.
Among the officers implicated are Michael Nowacki, Anthony Keany, Alexander Kim, Alberto Retamozo, Bienvenido Acevedo, Dennis Mack, Matthew Bracken, and John Nicezyporuk. The officers were reportedly associated with the Oath Keepers, a militia group that recruits heavily from military and law enforcement, and was a central player in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
At the Sunday event, Deputy Inspector General Tamara Richardson discussed the agency’s role, and Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) and Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) joined activists in voicing their concerns. “It’s time to act with urgency as we see the rise of fascism in the country,” Sigcho-Lopez said. “Here in Chicago, we protect human rights, and we respect the rights of our constituents to feel safe.”
A key part of the push is the call for accountability and transparency, with residents and activists arguing that the investigation into the officers was inadequate. “Internal Affairs looking into this matter is like the worm investigating its tail,” said Frank Chapman, an activist. “We want a real investigation.”
Elizabeth Rochford, a 17th Police District Council member, spoke about the growing fear in her community. “I’ve heard from neighbors and constituents who are afraid that an Oath Keeper is patrolling their neighborhoods,” Rochford said. “I feel afraid of officers who might be tied to any extremist group, particularly for my Black and Brown neighbors. I hope my fears are taken seriously and swift action is taken.”
The controversy surrounding the Oath Keepers and CPD officers has reignited a broader conversation about the role of extremist groups in law enforcement and the need for stronger safeguards against radicalization within police departments. Activists and community leaders are now calling on Mayor Johnson and Police Superintendent Larry Snelling to act on their promises to root out extremists from the force and ensure that officers are held accountable for any actions that bring discredit to the department.
While Mayor Johnson and CPD leaders have vowed to have zero tolerance for officers with extremist ties, the investigation has yet to be reopened, and there has been no movement on forming the recommended task force. As pressure mounts, the mayor now faces growing demands for immediate and decisive action.
