Eddie Johnson, Chicago's New Top Cop, Left His Mark On Sixth Police District
(CBS) – Eddie Johnson spent four years as commander of the Sixth Police District, which includes the Englewood and Auburn Gresham communities.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker talks with residents.
Cheryl Johnson points to pictures of the 79th Street Renaissance Festival, where the community leader began her relationship with Johnson.
"Commander Eddie Johnson would be excellent as a police chief," she says.
"He relates well to community groups, block clubs. He works well with them. He works well with individuals. He works well with the business community," she says. "I don't think anybody in the city of Chicago would have anything negative to say about Commander Eddie Johnson."
Community activist Asiaha Butler admits she doesn't personally know Johnson, but as a community activist with the Residents Association of Greater Englewood, she says his longtime tenure on a force with a history of police abuse could be a negative.
"Being an insider, has he condoned these behaviors? Has he been a part of these behaviors? Are these his buddies? We don't know," Butler says.
Supporters said, as an insider, Johnson knows the best people to make necessary changes within the department.
Many in the community don't remember Cmdr. Johnson, who ran the Sixth District from 2008 to 2012, but residents still had a message for the newly appointed superintendent: clean up the streets, and let Chicagoans know what they can do to help the police.
