The Chicago Police Board has approved a settlement that includes a six-month suspension for Lieutenant Wilfredo Roman, who was previously facing dismissal for allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed teen suspect in 2021.
Incident Details
The incident happened on February 9, 2021, after a teenager allegedly carjacked a man at gunpoint. When police officers chased the suspect, he abandoned the car and ran. He eventually surrendered in an alley near North Leclaire Avenue in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood while trying to climb a fence. Before being caught, he had thrown a gun over the fence.
Body camera footage recorded what happened next. The teen, who was handcuffed, was complaining about the tightness of the cuffs. Roman reportedly told him to “shut up,” then approached him from behind and shoved his flashlight “in and/or on and/or between” the boy’s buttocks, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). Roman also allegedly yelled, “That’s what you get for carjacking,” and used an insult toward the suspect.
Investigation and Charges
The incident led to felony charges against Roman, including aggravated battery and official misconduct. The suspect’s exact age was debated in court; prosecutors said he was 17, while police disciplinary documents listed him as 15.
Roman’s attorney argued that there was no physical penetration and that the flashlight never touched the teen’s bare skin, as it was over his clothing. In 2023, Cook County Judge Joseph Claps found Roman not guilty of the criminal charges.
Disciplinary Actions
In June 2023, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling recommended that Roman be fired for excessive force and failing to file a tactical response report. However, after negotiations, the parties reached a settlement. Under this agreement, Roman would receive a 180-day suspension without pay instead of being dismissed from the force.
On Thursday, the Chicago Police Board voted 8-0 to accept the settlement and enforce the suspension.
This case has raised ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in Chicago. While Roman avoided criminal penalties, the suspension serves as a disciplinary action within the department.
