Interim Police Supt. Eddie Johnson Moves Closer To Getting Job Permanently
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel is a step closer to getting his choice to head the Chicago Police Department, Eddie Johnson, named to the position permanently.
As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, the City Council is essentially allowing the mayor to sidestep the current police board selection process.
The City's Council Public Safety Committee approved a temporary amendment to the current law regarding the appointment of the Chicago police superintendent.
The move paves the way for Mayor Emanuel to appoint Eddie Johnson to the position permanently without having to go through the police board selection process.
Many aldermen support the mayor's pick, but not the way it happened.
"This sets a dangerous precedent because we can just keep saying 'Well, we don't really like this, so let's change it,'" 10th Ward Alderman Sue Garza said. "In the end, I don't think this was transparent."
But the majority of the committee members felt the appointment of a permanent superintendent rather than continuing with another interim superintendent was in the city's best interest.
"We need to move forward get somebody in there," said 38th Ward Alderman Nicholas Sposato. "The worst thing we could do is have another search."
"I don't care who it is we get, but we need somebody and we need them now," said 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts.
Following the vote on the amendment, Johnson addressed the committee, giving them an idea of the work he's already done as interim superintendent.
"For the first quarter of this year, overtime has reduced 14 percent," he said.
And as the next superintendent, Johnson had this message for criminals.
"You either decide to change the way you're living right now or trust me when I tell you the Chicago Police Department will put every asset we have to find you," Johnson said.
Johnson says his end goal as superintendent is to make the city of Chicago and the police department better than when he got the promotion.
The full council is expected to vote on the measure Wednesday. If it passes, Johnson will officially become superintendent.