Chicago Police Board Announces 3 Finalists for Top Cop

The Chicago Police Board named the three finalists for the position of police superintendent (left to right) Dr. Cedric Alexander, CPD Chief of Support Services, and Anne E. Kirkpatrick.

The names of the three finalists for city’s next top cop were announced Chicago Police Board President Lori Lightfoot.

Police board members voted on the finalists Thursday morning. The finalists include two outsiders and one insider who rose through the Chicago Police Department ranks. Two are African-American, one is white.

Their names will be sent to Mayor Rahm Emanuel who will pick the next police superintendent.

Dr. Cedric Alexander, said to be the police board’s top pick, is the public safety director for DeKalb County, GA. Alexander also serves as on President Obama’s Task Force for 21st Century Policing and has experience building police assistance programs to help officers deal with on the job trauma. He is a 39-year veteran with a doctorate in clinical psychology.

On his written application, Alexander stated that CPD must address actual or perceived bias on the part of police officers.

Anne E. Kirkpatrick is a 33-year law enforcement veteran. She started out as a patrol officer in Memphis, TN, before moving on to serve as chief of police in three cities in Washington, including the state’s second largest city, Spokane. She is the retired police chief of Spokane, WA, and the retired deputy chief of the King County, WA, sheriff’s office. Kirkpatrick is said to be focused on police reform issues, including police discipline, and has experience working with the U.S. Department of Justice.

She is presently a master instructor in the FBI’s leadership academy, working with police agencies on issues involving police discipline as well as credibility and leadership. On her application, Kirkpatrick wrote that “community policing is a philosophy.

Eugene Williams is the chief of support services for the Chicago Police Department, where he oversees the department’s $1.4 billion budget. The lone insider of the group, Williams has served in various capacities within the police department for 36 years, including 15 years at command-level service, including chief of patrol. He has also held positions in narcotics, homicide, organized crime and community policing.

The police board began its search for a new police superintendent on Dec. 10, 2015. Members reviewed and evaluated 39 candidates. The board also held town halls that allowed community members’ input into the selection process.

Lightfoot said the next leader must be able to inspire the men and women of the Chicago Police Department.

“This was no ordinary search for a new police superintendent because these are not ordinary times,” Lightfoot said. “Chicago is at a critical juncture, and the person who is selected to lead the Police Department must fundamentally change the relationship between Chicago’s police and the people they serve, particularly the people who are in the communities most impacted and devastated by violent crime.”

As required by city ordinance, when there is a vacancy in the Superintendent’s position, the Police Board is responsible for nominating three candidates for consideration by the mayor. The mayor will then make his final decision with the advice and consent of the Chicago City Council.

While the police board examined law enforcement experience, Lightfoot said understanding each candidate’s mindset and philosophy was also critical.

“This was no easy task,” Lightfoot said. “This is one of the most important local law enforcement positions in the country at one of the most important moments in Chicago’s history.”

The next police superintendent will need to address the city’s escalating gun violence as well as focus on rebuilding the police department’s fractured relationship with residents, especially in neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence.