A fundraiser to help pay the legal fees of a Streamwood police officer charged with beating a motorist in March has sparked the anger of the victim’s family and the disfavor of village officials.
But the union attorney representing the rank-and-file officers who organized the event said they have greater reason to be outraged over the "rush to judgment" on the part of the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.
A squad car camera captured Cpl. James Mandarino of Aurora repeatedly striking Ronald Bell, 28, following a traffic stop March 28. The recording helped lead Cook County prosecutors to charge Mandarino with aggravated battery and official misconduct.
Stacey Bell, Ronald’s brother, said the family’s initial anguish over the incident was somewhat relieved then the village and its police department issued statements appearing to distance themselves from Mandarino’s actions.
But news that Mandarino’s fellow officers were holding a fundraiser for him Friday afternoon at Bartlett’s Fireman’s Hall left them not knowing whom to believe, he said.
"We don’t know if it’s just a few select officers," Stacey Bell said. "They’re all public officers and they’re all supposed to follow the orders of the administration. Do I feel safe in Streamwood knowing this? No, I don’t."
