“I know this city. I grew up surrounded by blue-collar families that are the lifeblood of this blue-collar town,” said Johnson, who will serve through the end of the year.
By Sam Charles Updated Nov 7, 2019, 11:43am CST
Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson announced his retirement Thursday by recalling his upbringing in Chicago and thanking the mayor who plucked him from obscurity and put him in charge of the department three-and-a-half years ago.
“Rahm Emanuel saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Johnson said at CPD headquarters in Bronzeville.
“It’s time for someone else to pin these four stars to their shoulders,” he added, choking up. “These stars sometimes feel like carrying the weight of the world.”
He was joined at his announcement by Emanuel’s successor, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who just Wednesday was minimizing reports that Johnson would announce his departure this week.
“I am privileged to call her now my friend, and also my boss,” Johnson said of the mayor.
Lightfoot said Johnson would serve through the end of the year.
“It is an understatement to say the position of superintendent is demanding,” she said, adding “we wish him nothing but the best.”
She also praised his dealings with the public — and his decision to boycott a recent speech in Chicago by President Donald Trump.
Johnson “showed this city over and over again, but particularly in that act, that he loves this city and he will fight for our values no matter what,” Lightfoot said.
“I have personally witnessed the tender and heartfelt way he has comforted grieving widows and family members,” she said, adding that Johnson also joined a march along the Dan Ryan Expressway to protest gun violence.
Johnson, 59, has been with the CPD for 31 years, serving as superintendent for the past three-and-a-half years. He would “help with the transition to the new superintendent however possible,” he said.
“I know this city. I grew up surrounded by blue-collar families that are the lifeblood of this blue-collar town,” Johnson added.
Can we "recommend" someone - like say art acevedo - Houston would most likely be better off and shytown would most likely be no worse off................:-(
ReplyDeleteCut the bullshit please. Following his sleep at the wheel incident, Johnson ordered an investigation on himself. In doing so, all responding units had their body cams impounded by Internal Affairs which would preclude their contents from being disseminated to the media until the "investigation" was concluded. The 911 call reporting this incident was placed on a City owned cell phone issued to the Chicago Police Department. Its also rumored that the Superintendent's spouse, a recently promoted member of the CPD filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the CPD. Huh? yep. And its also known in circles at 35th and Michigan that Supt Johnson has been sharing his Johnson with a female sworn member who's been his driver for the last several months. So go ahead Ed, have another drink. Surely there's another kidney out there to be donated for you to burn out.
ReplyDeleteNice tool for the lefties at city hall. Never backed up the cops that do what they can to make decent citizens safe. Chicago will get what they deserve from the men and women of the CPD. No, I don't mean the leadership, I mean the workers.
ReplyDeleteMayor Lightfoot snuck out to Aurora last night, came thru back doors of Aurora police dept. to interview top cop...which is a female.
ReplyDeleteVery woke of her.
DeleteInteresting that the Mayor gave away the store on opening discussions with the CTU and ultimately caved in on the line in the sand drawn regarding makeup days. Now, CPD, upwards of 900 plus days without a contract, will probably have to deal with a minority female from outside the department. Apparently nobody learned anything from the failed Jody Weis and Garry McCarthy experiments. Its always grating when an outsider comes in, mispronounces street names like Paulina and Throop, and then proceeds to start renaming districts and detective areas, closing some and consolidating others. Meanwhile all the resources get depleted chasing criminals that never get prosecuted and running up overtime guarding priests and demonstrators who like to walk on our expressways. We're truly fucked.
ReplyDeleteJody, Gary and Eddie are nice guys who did their very best under trying circumstances. Bravo! Jobs well done!
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