Chicago sergeant relieved of police powers following arrest at Indiana casino
Lake County Indiana Dec 25 2020
A Chicago Police Department sergeant was relieved of her police powers after she allegedly hit an official at an Indiana casino.
Lori Cooper was allegedly intoxicated on Oct. 30 when she charged at an official of Horseshoe Casino in Hammond while being escorted from the building, according to Lake County (Ind.) prosecutors.
Cooper allegedly struck the official in the chest and abdomen with an open hand, pushing him backwards, according to a court document provided by prosecutors.
The incident was recorded on surveillance video and a security officer’s body camera, prosecutors said.
Security was initially called to a restroom where Cooper had allegedly battered a casino employee, prosecutors said. While Cooper and a friend were being escorted from the casino, the pair allegedly began fighting among each other inside the building.
The gaming official then showed up to assist the security guard, prosecutors said. As the official spoke with Cooper’s friend, Cooper charged at the official and struck him, prosecutors said.
Cooper faces a felony charge of battery to an official, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication, county records state.
CPD opened an internal investigation and relieved Cooper of her police powers pending the investigation’s outcome, a spokeswoman said in a statement.
Cooper’s attorney said she’s a “distinguished” 28-year veteran of CPD “with many accolades and awards.”
“She has served our community honorably and has overseen the operations of many successful units, including advocating and supporting the families of fallen officers,” attorney Ana McNamara said in a statement.
In 2019, Cooper spoke with WLS-TV about consoling families of officers killed in the line of duty
“You know, we make promises… to the families,” Cooper told WLS-TV at the time. “And we say we’ll never forget. A lot of people do get sidetracked with their own things, their own jobs, and our job is to make sure that we hold true on that promise.”
Cooper posted bail and is expected to appear in court again Feb. 16, according to Lake County records.
