2 Outsiders, Insider In Contention For Police Superintendent
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- Two outsiders and a Chicago Police insider reportedly have the inside-track to become the next police superintendent.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports, the insider is reportedly the current Chicago Police Deputy Chief of Detectives Al Wysinger. He is a former district commander and specialist in gang crimes.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Bernie Tafoya reports
Podcast
Back in 2007, Wysinger gained accolades when he heard gunshots in the neighborhood where his grandmother was celebrating her 80th birthday, and he chased down a suspect that had just shot a woman.
Echoing earlier reports, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday morning that the outsiders under consideration are Newark, N.J., police Chief Garry McCarthy, and White House drug czar Gil Kerlikoswke.
McCarthy, a former New York City police commander, was also a candidate for the Chicago job in 2003, when Phil Cline was selected. At the time, he criticized the process as being rigged by City Hall in favor of insiders.
Kerlikowske previously headed police departments in Buffalo, N.Y., and Seattle.
Speaking last week to CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine, former Police Supt. Richard Brzeczek said local ties were the most important quality for a new superintendent.
"If they can't find just one person to come in here and run that department from within, that to me is a serious problem," Brzeczek said Friday.
Another decision for Mayor Emanuel is how much to pay his new top cop. The last superintendent, outsider Jody Weis, a former FBI agent, got more than $300,000 annually -- more than mayor himself.
Emanuel says he hopes to have a new police superintendent picked before he takes office May 16.
