After Cook County Jail guard is beaten by inmate, union says policies were violated

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The beating of a Cook County Jail guard by inmates was caught on video this past weekend—and union leaders representing correction officers now have safety concerns.

Teamsters Local 700, which represents Cook County Jail correctional officers, said the guard who was beaten up had been ordered by a supervisor to do a safety check of a dorm by himself this past Sunday. The union said this was a violation of Cook County Sheriff's department policy.

As the Cook County probational correctional officer made his safety rounds Sunday night, he was suddenly sucker-punched by an inmate who then began to stomp on the officer's head.

The beatdown came to an end only after another inmate appeared to step in.

"The sheriff's own staff didn't follow his own protocols," said Anthony McGee, vice president Teamsters Local 700.

McGee used to be a cook county correctional officer himself. He said a supervisor violated jail policies when he ordered the guard to do the safety check of the dorm not only by himself—but without backup and without any other officers on the floor.

"The supervisor could have simply left the building that they were in from the comforts of their own office, walked over there, and served as backup for this officer," said McGee. "They chose not to do that."

After the incident, the union said 911 was never called—and the recently-hired guard was left waiting for hours before he was seen at the jail medical facility.

McGee said it was fair to say he believes the incident could have been avoided altogether.

The Cook County Sheriff's office said in a statement: "We are thankful our officer was not severely injured and was able to walk away from this incident. Individuals in custody who attack our staff will be prosecuted."

An inmate, Malik Daniel, was charged in the beating. He has been hit with new charges of aggravated batter to a peace officer—the same charges on which the 28-year-old was already being held.

"A mistake like that clearly can be detrimental to one's ability to go home to their family," McGee said.

Fortunately, the officer was able to walk away. The union said the officer briefly passed out while on his way home afterward.

The sheriff's office said it is now investigating whether or not any internal policies were violated.