Eddie Johnson

Search Underway For Chicago's New Possible ‘Top Cop' As Supt. Johnson Reportedly Plans to Step Down

While there is an official police board process to send Mayor Lori Lightfoot three names to consider for a possible new ‘top cop,’ she’s clearly not wasting anytime.    

Lightfoot met with one of the department’s top chiefs Wednesday and she’s also spoken with several candidates while they were in town for the police convention. 

Chicago Police Chief Barbara West visited the fifth floor of City Hall Wednesday afternoon to meet with the mayor about possibly replacing Supt. Eddie Johnson. West currently heads up organizational development.

City Hall sources say other local names being considered besides include CPD Chief Melissa Staples, and four retired CPD officers Al Wysinger, Gene Williams, Leo Schmitz and Hiram Grau.

During the police chief’s convention last week, sources said Lightfoot met with Houston’s Chief Art Acevedo, former NY Chief Bill Bratton and former Camden, New Jersey Chief Scott Thompson.   

On the other hand, former LA Chief Charlie Beck was said to be expected to visit Chicago Friday and there’s speculation he could also head of the department on an interim basis

Former Supt. Garry McCarthy said he’d “absolutely” be interested in applying for the job.  

Mayor Lightfoot, who once headed up the police board says she will honor the process, though at the same time, she’s begun her own interview process already.

“The police board process is mandated by law,” she said. “I’m not going to violate the law; and having led the last search for a superintendent, I believe in respecting the law and the police board process.”

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