Officer Joseph Vecchio, the same Chicago Police officer who received a 29-day suspension this week for wrongfully arresting an Indiana man who was legally armed, has now been found by COPA to have searched a man and his vehicle without justification at a Streeterville intersection in October 2024 and mocked the man for invoking his Fourth Amendment rights by asking if he could even spell the word amendment. Vecchio received a 60-day suspension for the second case. His supervisor Sergeant Erick Seng received a 60-day suspension as well.

A Chicago Police officer whose 29-day suspension for wrongfully arresting a legal gun owner was reported by Chicago Crime Chaser earlier has now been identified in a second separate COPA investigation in which he searched a man and his vehicle without justification and mocked the man for invoking his constitutional rights.

Together, the two COPA cases have resulted in a total of 89 days of suspension for Officer Joseph Vecchio, making him one of the most disciplined officers in recent CPD history based on COPA records reviewed by Chicago Crime Chaser.

The Traffic Stop

On October 21, 2024, at approximately 4:12 p.m., Officer Vecchio and Sergeant Erick Seng stopped a man at 243 East Ontario Street in the Streeterville neighborhood.

Officer Vecchio told the man his vehicle was parked more than 12 inches from the curb and was therefore obstructing traffic.

The man had parked his Nissan Altima in a standing zone and walked to a nearby restaurant to get food. When he returned, he found the officers stopped in front of his vehicle.

The Search Without Justification

The man provided his driver’s license but needed to contact his girlfriend about the vehicle’s insurance.

Officer Vecchio told the man he was putting up a pretty hostile attitude and ordered him to roll down his windows and asked if he had any contraband.

The man denied having any contraband and told the officers he was not consenting to any searches or seizures. Officer Vecchio responded by saying okay I am not asking you that, though. When the man reiterated his lack of consent, Officer Vecchio opened the vehicle door and ordered him to exit.

Officer Vecchio performed a pat-down search on the man after he exited the vehicle. The officers then handcuffed the man behind his back, stating he was making them nervous. Officer Vecchio then searched the vehicle, including going into compartments, opening a bag, moving items around, and searching the trunk. No contraband or weapons were found.

Can You Even Spell Amendment

When the man told the officers they were violating his Fourth Amendment rights, Officer Vecchio responded by asking what is the Fourth Amendment. When the man replied, Officer Vecchio continued You don’t even know what that is, man. What is the Fourth Amendment?

According to the man’s statement to COPA, Officer Vecchio then asked if he could even spell the word amendment.

While searching the vehicle, Officer Vecchio continued the mockery, stating I still want you to tell me what the Fourth Amendment is, man. Even spell the word.

COPA found that Officer Vecchio’s conduct was insulting and unprofessional.

The ISR Was Inaccurate

The man later filed a lawsuit alleging that the Investigatory Stop Report that Officer Vecchio authored was inaccurate. COPA also found that Officer Vecchio and Sergeant Seng failed to complete proper paperwork documenting the incident and that Sergeant Seng did not timely activate his body-worn camera or properly supervise Officer Vecchio.

COPA Findings and Discipline Imposed

COPA sustained the following findings, and CPD confirmed the following suspensions in a letter signed by Superintendent Larry Snelling on July 13, 2026.

Officer Joseph Vecchio, Star No. 14469, received a 60-day suspension. He will also receive mandatory retraining on Fourth Amendment law covering detentions, pat-downs, and vehicle searches, as well as retraining on professionalism and report writing.

Sergeant Erick Seng, Star No. 2677, received a 60-day suspension. He will also receive mandatory retraining on Fourth Amendment law covering investigatory stops and related reporting requirements, supervisory responsibilities, professionalism, and body-worn camera activation.

A Pattern of Misconduct

This is the second COPA case against Officer Vecchio reported by Chicago Crime Chaser today. Earlier this week, Chicago Crime Chaser reported that Vecchio received a 29-day suspension, the maximum penalty recommended by COPA for wrongfully arresting an Indiana man who was legally carrying a concealed firearm near 79th Street in March 2023.

Together, the two COPA cases total 89 days of suspension for Officer Vecchio. COPA records also show that Vecchio has additional pending sustained findings from other investigations related to traffic stops and searches.

Chicago Crime Chaser will continue to monitor COPA disciplinary proceedings involving Officer Vecchio.