Prosecutors have recently dropped charges against Chicago Police Department Deputy Chief Roberto Nieves, who was accused of slashing vehicle tires while on duty at last year’s Puerto Rican Fest in Humboldt Park. The charges against Nieves were dropped after reaching a settlement agreement with the involved parties.
Last September, Nieves and a patrol officer were charged with misdemeanor criminal damage after they were caught on police body-worn camera video using a knife to deflate tires on two vehicles in the 2600 block of West North Avenue. While charges against the patrol officer were dropped within days and expunged, the prosecution of the former deputy chief continued until Tuesday when a settlement was reached. Nieves has paid an agreed amount of restitution to the complaining witness, leading to the dismissal of the case by the state.
As a result of the allegations, Nieves was demoted from his position as Deputy Chief. He now holds the rank of captain within the Chicago Police Department and is assigned to the Alternate Response Section. In this unit, officers awaiting disciplinary investigation outcomes or experiencing medical issues take police reports over the phone. Despite the demotion, Nieves continues to be an active member of the force, earning $180,270 a year.
Nieves, who joined the department in 1995, has faced consequences for his actions but remains employed within the CPD. The settlement agreement and dismissal of charges signal a resolution to the legal issues surrounding the incident at the Puerto Rican Fest. It remains to be seen how Nieves will continue to serve in his new role within the department following the resolution of this case.
