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Misconduct Probe Examines Whether Cops Pressured Motorist To Cough Up A Gun

(CBS) -- Two Chicago Police officers are under internal investigation, and now the department is considering criminal charges against them for alleged misconduct.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.

Sources say the two Chicago police officers under investigation are from the 10th District police station on the West Side.

It's alleged the officers pulled a man over for driving on a suspended license. He was brought to the station, where he was told if he were able to give officers a gun he would be let go.

The man reportedly called a relative who owned a legally registered gun. The relative agreed to place the gun under a garbage can where the officers could find it. The man was let go, but the relative called police, and that's when an investigation started.

CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller says the allegations, if true, show officers were twisting the department's intent of getting guns off the street.

"It goes to dishonesty," Miller says. "If the officer can lie about this, it shows he'd lie about anything."

The police report never mentioned a relative was responsible for the gun but said the man arrested gave police a tip during the traffic stop, about where a gun could be found.

Violating Rule 14 of the Chicago Police Department -- prohibiting false statements -- could yield punishments ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to termination, Miller notes.

Interim Supt. John Escalante moved to strip the officers of their police powers right away. Miller says this is proof there is an effort to change the culture within the Chicago Police Department.

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