Aurora Police Chief Passed Up For Chicago's Top Cop Job

CHICAGO, IL — Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman was one of three finalists in the running to fill the spot for Chicago Police Department superintendent, but was passed up, according to Chicago Tribune. David Brown, former Dallas, Texas, Police Chief, was Mayor Lori Lightfoot's selection for the job.

Before Ziman became Aurora's first police chief in 2016, she was its first female commander. Ziman's name came to be recognized nationally after she led the Aurora Police Department in tackling the 2019 shooting at Henry Pratt Manufacturing.

Mayor Lightfoot Picks Former Dallas Police Chief David Brown As Top Cop

Ziman, who is also known for blogging and sharing many of her personal struggles as Aurora's top cop on Facebook, has said she is affected by every mass shooting she has heard of since the Henry Pratt massacre. Since last week, Ziman has been battling coronavirus, but is managing the department remotely.

Ziman was joined as a finalist by Chicago police deputy chief Ernest Cato. As Lightfoot's pick, former Dallas, Texas top cop David Brown will join the force during the coronavirus crisis.

The three finalists were chosen from a list of applicants that included 21 men and four women.

On Wednesday night, Ziman issued a statement via Facebook addressing the possibility that she may leave Aurora for the Chicago job.

"After our mass shooting, you wrapped your arms around us and that was what helped us heal. I believe we — the city of Aurora — and our police department have come back stronger than we were before," she wrote.

"Which is why it seems crazy that I would even think about leaving our city," Ziman continued, adding, "Back in December, I was approached by members of the Chicago Police Board and asked if I would be interested in applying for the Superintendent position. My first response was of disbelief that I was being 'vetted' for a position that I didn’t pursue but I firmly believe that people see things in you that you don't see in yourself. I feel immense gratitude and pride for being considered a worthy candidate.

"I have grown up in Aurora and it is my home and the thought of leaving evokes strong emotion," Ziman added. " ... Taking a risk is never a safe option but for me, the safe option is almost always the worst option. I have come to understand that opportunities come in with the tide and sometimes you’ve just got to get on and see where it takes you. I’m doing just that.

"If it takes me to Chicago, I am confident in the succession plan we’ve built and I know that APD and this city will continue to flourish as it always has. If I fall short and am not chosen, my focus and energy will remain steadfast with APD."