Officer resigns after dispute over Puerto Rican shirt

UPDATE: Forest Preserves of Cook County officer Patrick Connor resigned late Wednesday while officials investigate his response to a woman who said she was being harassed for wearing a shirt with the Puerto Rican flag.

A Forest Preserve District spokeswoman released a statement: "Effective today, Officer Patrick Connor no longer serves in the police department of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. He resigned late today. But that isn't where our work ends. We are further addressing aspects of this incident and General Superintendent Arnold Randall will have more details at a media availability tomorrow morning. No further information is available this evening."

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A park police officer in Chicago has been assigned to desk duty while officials investigate his response to a woman who said she was being harassed for wearing a shirt with the Puerto Rican flag.

Mia Irizarry complained that a man at Caldwell Woods was questioning her citizenship and telling her she shouldn't be wearing the shirt, although Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth.

Video of the June 14 incident shows the officer didn't respond.

More officers arrived and arrested the man, who was described as drunk.

Caldwell Woods is part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The agency tweeted Monday that an investigation of the officer is ongoing. It says all visitors should feel safe.

"After the incident, we immediately launched an investigation pursuant to our personnel policies into the response of our officer," it said, in a series of posts on Twitter. "The investigation is ongoing and the officer involved has been assigned to desk duty pending the outcome. The intoxicated individual involved in the incident was arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct.

"All people are welcome in the Forest Preserves of Cook County and no one should feel unsafe while visiting our preserves."

Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, wants the officer fired.