Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx
Martin Preib sees Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case as just the latest example of a pattern of misguided actions she has taken since assuming office.
"Ms. Foxx has politicized her office, failing to prosecute criminals in favor or pushing her political agenda,” Preib, 2nd Vice President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), told Chicago City Wire. “She has released criminals she should not have released, created policies that benefit criminals. The Smollett case was the icing on the cake.”
At a Thursday press conference held by FOP leaders and suburban police chiefs from across the state, law enforcement officials announced a “no-confidence” vote on Foxx in the wake of her office moving to dismiss all 16 felony charges against “Empire” actor Smollett after he reported what many now believe to be a hate-crime hoax with Chicago police.
Martin Preib, 2nd Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police
| LinkedIn
“She had no authority or justification to drop those charges,” Preib added. “Her decisions have benefited civil rights law firms at the expense of protecting police officers.”
Soon after her win on Tuesday, newly elected Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined the chorus of those still looking for answers, telling reporters she thinks Foxx owes the public a better explanation for her actions.
Preib said he hopes the no-confidence vote announced Thursday sends a clear and stern message to Foxx about the kind of support police officers need to effectively perform their duties.
“The police need a fair and impartial prosecutor to protect the public and do our jobs,” he said. “Ms. Foxx's decision has infuriated the rank and file and diminished an already low morale problem. When police officers believe the prosecutor is not in their corner when it comes to fighting crime, their job becomes extremely difficult and more dangerous.”
Since being elected in November 2016, Foxx has also come under fire for her handling of “felony review [and] non-prosecution of certain low-level offenses.”
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