Sgt. John Poulos — who is widely known for his two controversial fatal shootings that had Chicago residents extremely upset is now running for judge in Cook County with the help of a Democratic Party insider and $500,000 in loans from his wife, according to Chicago Suntimes.
According to the report in 2013 and 2016 Poulos shot and killed a black man during both of those years. Both of the shootings reportedly resulted in a total of nearly $2 million in legal settlement payments from City Hall to the victims’ families. One of the men was unarmed during the fatal shooting and the other man didn’t pull up out his gun, but even with that being the case Poulos was cleared of wrongdoing by city investigations.
RELATED: Four Arrests Made After Chicago Police Officer Areanah Preston Is Killed In Front Of Her Home
Family members of the two men Poulos killed spoke out about him running for judge and said they feel like this whole situation is a slap in the face. “I’m coming unraveled because I have to scratch the surface of that scab that had healed to a certain degree,” said Kenyatta Hill, the sister of Rickey Rozelle,whom Poulos shot to death during an off-duty incident more than a decade ago. “It’s like a slap in the face. I have to go out and look at this guy campaign and have a normal life — and my brother is dead.”
Sgt. John Poulos gained national attention due to his involvement in two controversial incidents that resulted in the deaths of two African American men which has raised serious questions about the use of force by law enforcement and have further strained the relationship between the police and the community they serve.
The first incident took place in 2013 when Sgt. Poulos fatally shot 18-year-old Paul O’Neal, an unarmed African American teenager suspected of stealing a car. The incident was captured on body camera footage, which showed Sgt. Poulos firing multiple shots at O’Neal as he fled on foot, ultimately resulting in his death. The footage sparked outrage and protests, with many questioning the use of lethal force against an unarmed suspect.
In 2016, Sgt. Poulos was involved in another controversial shooting that resulted in the death of Maurice Granton Jr., a 24-year-old African American man. The incident occurred during a foot chase when Sgt. Poulos claimed that Granton had reached for a weapon. However, no weapon was found at the scene, leading to further scrutiny and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
These incidents have not only raised concerns about the use of force by Sgt. Poulos but have also highlighted broader issues within the Chicago Police Department.
RELATED: Smart Move? Chicago Police Department Rewards Residents With $100 Prepaid Cards For Each Gun They Turned Over: ‘No Questions Asked’
The controversies surrounding Sgt. John Poulos have sparked calls for reform within the Chicago Police Department. Community activists, civil rights organizations, and concerned citizens have demanded greater transparency, accountability, and training for officers to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
It is important to note that Sgt. Poulos is not the only officer facing such controversies, as there have been numerous cases of police misconduct and excessive force within the CPD. These incidents have eroded public trust in law enforcement and have further strained the already fragile relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
