Chicago: A dangerous cop given an easy ride

A Chicago police officer accused of attacking a 61-year-old man and his 50-year-old companion early Saturday at a Niles restaurant had a run-in with the Police Department two years ago that could have cost his job. Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said then-Supt. Phil Cline recommended Gerald Callahan's dismissal in 2006, but the police board decided to reinstate him. She offered no further details.

In an interview with CLTV on Sunday, Callahan, who was charged with two counts of battery after Saturday's incident, denied the accusations and said he was mistreated by Niles police. Callahan, 42, was arrested early Saturday in the 6700 block of Forestview Lane in Niles after leaving Chambers Seafood Grill & Chop House, 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles police said. Police alleged that Callahan, who was off duty at the time, attacked a man and his female friend about 2:30 a.m. Saturday for no reason as they were sitting in the lounge.

At his home Sunday evening, Callahan, a 15-year veteran of the force, told CLTV that he has been going to the restaurant for years and has never had any trouble there. He said he had only two beers Friday night when a woman he did not know began flirting with him and asking him to dance, and he declined.

Later, Callahan said, a man whom he assumed to be the woman's boyfriend became angry and violent with her, slamming her head into a bar. Callahan said he pushed the man and left the restaurant, worrying about how it would look for another Chicago police officer to be involved in an altercation at a bar.

After his arrest, Callahan said, he was bit on the leg by a Niles police dog and that police denied him medical treatment and access to medication while he was in custody. Callahan "can say that pigs can fly," Niles Police Sgt. Robert Tornabene said of his accusations of police mistreatment and version of the confrontation. "He can make all the accusations he wants. He has not made a formal complaint."

Tornabene said the charges were brought based on the statements of witnesses at the restaurant.

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