3-29-2016-ERNIE ALLEN’S-TOP STORY-
CHICAGO (AP) — Eddie Johnson didn’t apply to become Chicago’s police chief, but his appointment as interim superintendent in line for the top job could address many of the issues facing Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a city reeling from a police shooting scandal.
After firing the previous superintendent over the shooting, Emanuel has searched for a replacement during a spike in violent crime, low department morale and intensified scrutiny of police shootings — in particular the death of Laquan McDonald, a black teen shot 16 times by a white officer. Bypassing three finalists recommended by the police board, the mayor chose an insider who will face immediate pressure to bring about change within a force he’s been part of for 27 years.
Johnson was named interim chief Monday and Emanuel has asked him to apply for the permanent job. He will take over a department criticized for lax accountability on police misconduct and a “code of silence” culture that protects problem officers.
A former commander on the South Side, Johnson is black and a Chicago native, satisfying concerns from some aldermen after two consecutive white superintendents came from outside Chicago. Former colleagues credit Johnson with the ability to unify officers.
Johnson said his focus would be rebuilding trust.
“Trust between the police and the people we serve. Trust between the rank and file and the command staff. Trust between police and elected officials and community leaders. And trust among police officers,” he said. “I know the first trust has been broken too often.”
Johnson grew up in the rough Cabrini Green housing project until age 9, when his family moved to a South Side neighborhood where he still resides. He joined the Chicago Police Department in 1988 and held supervisory roles including chief of patrol, where he commanded 8,000 officers.
Emanuel said Johnson would both have officers’ backs and hold them accountable.
“He has the command, the character and the capability to lead the department at this critical juncture,” the mayor said.
The black and Latino caucuses of the City Council said they were pleased with Johnson’s selection, but some community leaders criticized Emanuel for sidestepping the finalists.
The Revs. Jesse Jackson and Ira Acree said the mayor’s actions undermined the police board. Emanuel has also been criticized over the McDonald case, accused of a cover-up for releasing police video of the shooting the video only after a judge ordered it.
“You would think that in the aftermath of the Laquan McDonald police scandal, that Mayor Emanuel would have learned his lesson and honored his pledge of giving Chicago ultimate transparency in the pursuit of rebuilding public trust,” Acree said.
Jackson said the Police Department’s culture needs changing and the way an insider was chosen “complicates and compounds the crisis.”
By SOPHIA TAREEN, Associated Press
