Chicago police to investigate claims of police posing Pitt student for photo

Chicago police are investigating claims that several of their officers forced a Pitt student who… Chicago police are investigating claims that several of their officers forced a Pitt student who they arrested during last month’s G-20 Summit to take a photo with them.

The investigation began after videos surfaced on YouTube depicting several officers surrounding Pitt student Kyle Kramer as he kneeled to his knees in front of them as they took a picture in the middle of Forbes Avenue, outside of the Barco Law Building.

Jody P. Weis, superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, said in a statement that the officers were not working for the Chicago department at the time but had come to work during the G-20 “on their personal time.”

Weis added that, “The Chicago Police Department does not tolerate misconduct by any of its members, regardless of where it might occur.”

Cris Hoel, Kramer’s attorney, said neither he, nor Kramer, had heard from the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago police spokesman Michael Fitzpatrick declined to comment on Hoel’s remark, saying all he was permitted to say was that the investigation was ongoing. He said he did not know when the investigation — which is being conducted by the department’s Internal Affairs Division — will conclude.

Hoel said his focus right now is not on the Chicago investigation, but rather on resolving Kramer’s criminal charges.

“A criminal record for an undergraduate could affect job prospects, credit — many, many important parts of their lives as they try to build their lives,” he said. “My current focus is on extricating these students from criminal jeopardy.”

Kramer said he felt relieved about the investigation.

“I was happy to hear about it, and I’m glad they’re looking into it,” he said.

Editor’s note: Kramer is a staff writer for The Pitt News. He was not on assignment for the paper at the time of his arrest.