Cop Who Approved Laquan McDonald Report Retires

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A top Chicago Police deputy who signed off on the investigation that cleared Officer Jason Van Dyke of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald has retired.

The Police Department confirmed Deputy Chief David McNaughton retired on Monday.

McNaughton approved Van Dyke's "use of force" report after the officer shot McDonald 16 times in October 2014. At the time, the department said Van Dyke shot McDonald in fear of his life, after the teen lunged at officers with a knife. However, dashcam video of the incident made public more than a year later contradicted the official accounts, showing McDonald walking away from Van Dyke when he was shot.

Meantime, Police Supt. Eddie Johnson continues to analyze Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson's report on the McDonald investigation.

Sources said Ferguson is recommending at least five patrol officers, three detectives, and a sergeant be suspended or lose their badges for their role in allegedly trying to cover up the circumstances of the shooting. Van Dyke is not part of the group. He already faces first-degree murder charges in McDonald's death.

The officers facing possible discipline either provided or approved accounts that differed from what the video shows about the incident.

Any disciplinary action Johnson might take against the officers would have to be approved by the Chicago Police Board.

Ferguson doesn't typically review police shootings, but the Independent Police Review Authority asked him to investigate the McDonald case.

As part of the city's reform efforts in the wake of the McDonald scandal, the mayor's office has said the City Council will vote next month on a plan to replace IPRA with a new civilian agency to investigate allegations of police misconduct. A new public safety auditor position also would be created to monitor policing issues.