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The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police has hired the officer charged in the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, sparking outrage among activists and community leaders, according to CNN.

Jason Van Dyke, free on bail after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder, will earn $12 an hour employed as a “jack-of-all” trades, the report says.

Activist pastor, the Rev. Michael Pfleger of Chicago’s St. Sabina Church, wrote an angry Facebook post calling for the firing of all union members.

The union released a statement defending its decision, writes CNN:

The Fraternal Order of Police explained its rationale behind the hiring decision in a statement, saying it had reached the decision to help the Van Dyke family weeks ago.

“Due to the notoriety of the incident, the ongoing threats of harm and intimidation and other issues caused him to become completely unemployable. Furthermore, after several threats against the safety of his spouse and her clients, his wife was forced to shut down her family-run business; resulting in zero household income,” the union said.

“For anyone to believe that the lodge entered into this arrangement without consideration and forethought is improper and shortsighted. Accuracy under these circumstances is paramount to truly grasping the significance to the decision made.”

The union’s decision underscores complaints that the city’s officers see themselves as separate from the community they serve.

SOURCE: CNN | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform

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Witnesses To Laquan McDonald Killing Allegedly Threatened, Pressured To Change Statements