Ex-Chicago cop faces charges after struggle with black woman

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CHICAGO (AP) — Charges of official misconduct and aggravated assault have been filed against a white former Chicago police officer caught on video struggling with a black woman walking her dog in a park.

Officer Bruce Dyker has been charged with official misconduct and aggravated assault in a public manner, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said. He is due in court for arraignment on Thursday.

Dyker, 52, who was on duty shortly after the incident last summer, resigned from the Chicago Police Department in May before any formal disciplinary action was announced against him, a spokesperson said. department last week. He had been a Chicago officer since 1998.

Videos showing Dyker grabbing Nikkita Brown shortly after midnight on August 28, 2021, while walking her French bulldog on North Avenue Beach later went viral.

In video recorded by a bystander, Brown and his dog appear to walk away from the officer as he follows close behind.

Brown repeatedly tells Dyker not to come closer and back off because he’s not wearing a face mask. But he keeps approaching and orders her to leave the area as it was closed.

Moments later, the officer appears to reach for Brown’s phone, then grabs her as she can be heard shouting, « Let go of me! » and struggle to break free.

The incident sparked an investigation by the Civilian Police Accountability Office, while Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was « quite disturbed » by the videos.

Lawyers for the woman alleged the encounter turned violent and was a « clear case of racial profiling ».

The Associated Press

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