A Chicago police union leader has told officers to oppose the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate requirement.

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzar said Tuesday he was willing to take the city to court if necessary to fight the new requirement.

“It’s safe to say that the city of Chicago will have a police force at 50% or less for this weekend coming up,” the labor leader said, according to the New York Post.

“I do not believe the city has the authority to mandate that to anybody, let alone that information about your medical history,” he added.

“The city of Chicago will have a police force at 50% or less for this weekend coming up,” Catanzara said.

The head of the #Chicago police union called on members to refuse to comply with the city’s #VaccineMandate, which is set to take effect on Friday. https://t.co/0u6nXQkcj7

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 14, 2021

“What we’re focused on is making sure that we maximize the opportunity to create a very safe workplace,” Mayor Lori Lghtfoot told reporters, according to NBC News.

“The data is very clear. It is unfortunate that the FOP leadership has chosen to put out a counter narrative. But the fact of the matter is, if you are not vaccinated, you are playing with your life, the life of your family, the life of your colleagues, and members of the public,” she added.

The clash between city leaders and police officers appears to be coming to a crisis point as the Friday deadline nears. Police may have the upper hand in the matter as the city already has numerous concerns regarding violent crime across Chicago.