Police Board To Get Public Input In Search For Next Superintendent
CHICAGO (CBS) -- As the Chicago Police Board searches for the city's next top cop, board members also are seeking input from the public about who should be hired as superintendent.
At a special public meeting of the Chicago Police Board on Tuesday, Chicago residents will get a chance to speak for up to two minutes each about the qualities they believe the new Chicago Police Superintendent should have.
The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kennedy-King College Auditorium, 740 W. 63rd St.
"We also view this forum as an important opportunity for residents to share their experiences with the police and provide recommendations for policy priorities now and in the future," Police Board President Lori Lightfoot said.
The board is responsible for conducting a nationwide search for the ctiy's next top cop, and nominating three candidates to send to the mayor, who would then either nominate one for approval by the City Council, or ask the board to come up with a new list of candidates.
Former Police Supt. Garry McCarthy was fired in December, a week after the city released dashboard camera video of Police Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014. Hours before the video was released, Van Dyke was charged with murder in McDonald's death.
The next person to hold the $260,000-a-year job will face significant challenges running a police force under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for its use of deadly force. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has acknowledged public trust in the Police Department has been shaken by the handling of the McDonald case.
Lightfoot explained why there's such intense scrutiny on the board's search.
"In this time that we're in, the person who's going to lead the police department forward has to have the respect and a relationship with the community; and that, really, in my view, begins with integrity," she said.
Former Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline said an insider would be the best person for the job.
"They've just got a leg up on somebody coming from outside that doesn't know the difference between Lakeview and Englewood, and it's important that they hit the ground running," he said.
Candidates can apply through Friday at ChicagoPoliceBoard.org. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cpb/provdrs/public_meetings/alerts/2015/december/application-for-the-position-of-superintendent-of-police.html
The application includes several essay questions, such as, "What does accountability mean in the context of policing?" and, "Police integrity is being questioned all over the country. Describe your plan."
