Chicago Gags Anti-Vax Union Leaders, as Indiana Poaches Rebel Cops

Chicago is seeking to extend a court-ordered ban on police union president John Catanzara’s use of social media to discourage his members from reporting their vaccine status to the city, and extend similar restrictions to other union leaders, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. More than 4,500 cops didn’t comply with the mandate that went into effect October 15, 2021. If they continue to decline, the officers are stripped of their police powers, put on no-pay status and forced to hand over their police badges and IDs — a consequence only about 20 officers have faced thus far.

FOP First Vice President Michael Mette urged members to hold the line in their effort to resist the vaccine mandate and likened the bunches of noncompliant officers being called to police headquarters to a scene out of “The Hunger Games.” Meanwhile, Insider reports that the Indiana State Police is trying to poach Chicago police officers refusing to comply with the city’s vaccine mandate. Sgt. Glen Fifield, a press information officer for the Indiana State Police, recently tweeted “Hey Chicago Police Officers, we’re hiring! No vaccine mandate. Apply today … Lower taxes, great schools, welcoming communities.” As of October 19, 2021, about 2,000 officers are yet to declare their vaccination status.