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Chicago Officer Acquitted of Wrongdoing Charges Filed by Rep. Rush

Bobby Rush
Bobby Rush / AP
February 10, 2017

Two Chicago police officers on Thursday were cleared of racial profiling allegations filed by Rep. Bobby Rush (D., Ill.) after a traffic stop that occurred in August 2015.

After the Chicago Police Department's Bureau of Internal Affairs reviewed the officers' body camera footage, it was determined that the officers had probable cause to pull over the Congressman, Fox 32 News reported Thursday.

The officers stopped Rush because the license plates on his Lexus RX450h were registered to a Cadillac.

Within an hour of being stopped, Rush filed a complaint to the department saying he was pulled over because of the color of his skin.

Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said this case exemplifies the importance of body cameras.

"CPD holds itself to the highest level of integrity and professional standards," he said. "The video footage from this traffic stop provides a firsthand look into the professional actions of Chicago police officers that occur throughout the city every day. It also displays the value of body-worn camera technology that allows us to ensure investigations are guided by the facts, provide officers due process, and protect the civil rights of every Chicagoan. When officers are accused of misconduct, they are held accountable for their actions but when officers demonstrate professionalism and respect, we stand behind their actions."

About seven minutes into the video, the officer remains calm and polite, though Rush was irritated, saying, "I have never been so embarrassed and humiliated."

"You shouldn't be embarrassed," the officer said.

"Don't tell me what I shouldn't be," Rush answered.

Rush took down the officer's information, and told her he would file a complaint.

This isn't the first time Rush has spoken out against racial profiling. In 2012, the lawmaker was kicked off the House floor for wearing a hoodie to protest the killing of Trayvon Martin.

"Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum," Rush said.

Published under: Chicago , Police