Teamsters Union Accuses Dart Caring More About Protecting Inmates Than Officer Safety

(CBS) -- One of the nation's largest local unions is berating Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in a full page ad in the Chicago Sun Times on Sunday.

WBBM's Mariam Sobh reports Teamsters Local 700 is accusing Dart of providing more protection and care toward inmates and leaving officers in the lurch.

The ad alleges that when an officer does something wrong, it becomes a news headline, but when an inmate attacks an officer, it is underreported.

Cara Smith with the Cook County Sheriff's Department says she was surprised by the ad.

"I think that the men and women of the Department of Corrections are clear about our focus being their safety and well-being," Smith said. "It's just an unfortunate effort to confuse and distract our mission."

Teamsters Local 700 could not be reached for comment.