Latino Aldermen Demand Escalante Be Considered For CPD Superintendent
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Members of the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus on Friday demanded interim Police Supt. John Escalante get the job permanently, or at least be included on a new list of finalists for the position.
Ald. George Cardenas (12th), who chairs the Latino Caucus, said all 11 members feel Escalante has done a good job since taking over for the fired Garry McCarthy, and the Chicago Police Board should have included him among the finalists sent to Mayor Rahm Emanuel for consideration.
"How can you have confidence the board that, through its process, rejects the same man that is leading the charge right now? I do question that," he said.
Ald. Daniel Solis (25th) said it's about more than just Escalante being left off the list of finalists.
"The fact that there wasn't a Latino in the final three candidates, that's not only a disappointment, that's insulting," he said.
Solis said the mayor should make sure the list of finalists for the superintendent's job includes a Latino, specifically Escalante.
"As it now gets to the mayor's office, he should respect the position that we're taking, and tell the Police Board that you've got to come up with a new list," he said.
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Cardenas said Escalante took the reins of the Police Department during a crisis amid the fallout from the Laquan McDonald shooting scandal, has performed admirably, and should stay.
"He should be afforded the opportunity to continue his efforts as the first Latino in the history of the Chicago Police Department to be permanently appointed superintendent," he said.
Ald. Milly Santiago (31st) suggested trend of selecting Latinos for interim leadership roles in the city, but not permanent ones, pointing to former Chicago Board of Education vice president's temporary stint as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools after Barbara Byrd-Bennett resigned in disgrace.
"We're tired of the Latinos being used for interims. They are very good enough to be the leaders in certain situations, especially when there are crises in Chicago, but then they are not good enough to be promoted," she said.
The aldermen said Escalante should get the job on a permanent basis, or the mayor should tell the Police Board to come up with a new list of finalists.
Meantime, the council's Black Caucus has called for Chicago Police Support Services Chief Eugene Williams, who was among the finalists, to be appointed as the next superintendent.
The Police Board has released the candidates' answers to essay questions as part of their application process:
