Former DPD Chief David Brown Officially Takes The Reins As Chicago's Top Cop
CHICAGO (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Pending approval by aldermen, former Dallas Police Department Chief David Brown is now officially the Chicago police Superintendent.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot chose Brown to head the nation's second-largest police force and former interim Superintendent Charlie Beck handed the reins to Brown on Wednesday. Beck, who spent 40 years with the LAPD, headed Chicago's police department for five months after Superintendent Eddie Johnson was fired in December for allegedly misleading Lightfoot about a drinking-and-driving episode.
Beck said he couldn't wait to get home to his family, adding that he will be leaving family behind.
"Even though I came to Chicago without knowing virtually anybody that was in the Chicago Police Department, I leave feeling very much connected to them and very much part of the CPD family," he said.
Lightfoot praised Beck, who did away with the department's heavily criticized merit promotions system, and restructured some of its operations.
Brown, who served with the DPD for more than 30 years before retiring in 2016, also praised Beck, noting he allocated more resources to patrol commanders and established a bureau devoted to professionalizing the 13,000-member department. He said he will ensure what Beck began he will set in place so that it will reach its full potential.
The Chicago City Council is expected to vote on Brown's appointment next week.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)