Chicago FOP Removes Lodge President Shields

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Directors of the union that represents rank-and-file Chicago police officers have removed the lodge's president.

The 15-11 vote of the board of directors of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 occurred Tuesday night, three months after then-President Michael Shields claimed that three recent police contracts were rigged by City Hall, union bosses and an independent arbitrator to favor the city.

Shields' accusations include two FOP contracts and one covering Chicago Police sergeants; he has said he sent the letter in which the accusation was made because the city and union are nearing arbitration on a new contract. The labor attorney representing the city in those negotiations, James Franczek, denied the accusations and called the letter "outrageous."

Acting President Bill Dougherty did not cast a vote, said a source familiar with what happened.

The union is already taking steps to name a permanent successor. Ballots were sent to FOP members late last month, and will be counted Friday. If no candidate obtains a 51 percent majority in the five-candidate field, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a runoff.

Shields sought a court order seeking to place his name on the FOP ballot, claiming that he was being punished for writing the letter, but a judge denied his moti