Chicago's top cop out amid scandal

CHICAGO — The city's police superintendent said Monday he was stepping down as head of the beleaguered department, but he would not say what role two videotaped beatings involving off-duty officers had in his decision.

Last month, prosecutors filed felony charges against an officer accused of beating a female bartender. Six other officers were removed from street duty after being accused of assaulting four businessmen in a bar.

Superintendent Philip J. Cline took over in November 2003 and had been expected to retire later this year. On Monday, he referred to the highly publicized incidents only as "these times of challenge."

To the city's police officers, the 57-year-old Cline said: "I encourage all of them to rise above any controversy and stay focused on the mission."

Cline did not take any questions from reporters at a news conference.

Cline said he will stay on until a replacement was found, and thanked Mayor Richard M. Daley for giving him "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the best police department in the country."

Daley would not say whether he asked Cline to leave; he said Cline had wanted to retire a year ago but stayed at Daley's request.

"The vast majority of Chicago police officers are dedicated, hard working professional men and women who perform their jobs diligently every day," Daley said. "Unfortunately, the actions of just a few officers" can tarnish the department's image.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, head of the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said Cline was retiring under "a cloud of scandal." Future allegations of police misconduct should be subject to review by a civilian board, Jackson said.

"These videos have created an embarrassment for the mayor and for the city," Jackson said.

The department was internationally vilified after the bar surveillance footage of an off-duty officer pummeling a female bartender half his size was broadcast worldwide through 24-hour news channels and on YouTube.

Police said the footage showed Anthony Abbate, a 12-year veteran of the force, punching, kicking and throwing 24-year-old bartender Karolina Obrycka to the floor after she reportedly refused to continue serving him drinks. Obrycka suffered bruises to her head, neck, back and lower body, according to her attorney, Terry Ekl.

Officials have been criticized for waiting a month to arrest Abbate and for initially charging him with a misdemeanor.