Chicago Cops Sue City, Say Mayor Rahm Played Politics

Eleven Chicago cops have sued the city, accusing Mayor Rahm Emanuel of playing politics with his security detail. They say they were removed from the detail and replaced by officers who worked on Emanuel's campaign in some fashion, reports the Chicago Tribune. The officers, all of whom are Hispanic or Caucasian, also claim in their federal lawsuit that the demotions were racially motivated, and are now suing for their old positions and monetary compensation.

If their allegations prove true, the city would be in violation of its own Shakman decree, which bans the firing, transfer, or demotion of city employees for political reasons. Though the cops' lawyers were hesitant to give too many details, they did hint to ABC News that a police commander "made a comment prior to demotion of their clients” that suggested race played a role. The suit alleges that black officers got preferential treatment and were allowed to remain on the detail. Meanwhile, the city's Law Department has called the lawsuit "baseless," the Tribune notes. (More Rahm Emanuel stories.)