List of heads of the Chicago Police Department

Last updated

Head of the Chicago Police Department
Chicago Police Logo.png
Chicago Police Department logo
Incumbent
Larry Snelling
since September 28, 2023
Inaugural holder Orsemus Morrison (as "High Constable")
Formation1835 (as "High Constable")

The following is a list of heads of the Chicago Police Department.

Contents

Currently the executive of the Chicago Police Department is referred to as a "Superintendent of Police". Preceding titles included High Constable, City Marshall, General Superintendent of Police, and Commissioner of Police.

History

The original head of police position, existent from 1835 through 1842, was referred to as "High Constable". The position was an elected one. [1] [2]

The second title used for the head of police was "City Marshall", which was used from 1842 through 1861. [1] [2] The position was an elected one. [1] For a single year during (1855-56) this time, Chicago briefly had an appointed Chief of Police position that co-headed the department alongside the City Marshall. [1]

The title used for the head of police from 1861 to 1927 was "General Superintendent of Police". The position was an appointed one. [1] After the Board of Police Commissioners was legislated out of existence in 1875, the office of City Marshall was brought back to jointly serve as the head of the Chicago Police Department alongside the General Superintendent of Police. [1] This time, the office was an appointed one. [1] By vote of the City Council on May 31, 1876 the office of City Marshall was to be abolished. [1] The office was consequentially eliminated June 5, 1876, with the position of General Superintendent of Police reinstated as the sole head of police. [1] From this point on, the city has had only a singular head of police at a time. [1]

From 1927 through 1960, the head of police was titled the Commissioner of Police. [1] [2]

In 1960, the head of police assumed its current title, Superintendent of Police. [1] [2]

Samuel Nolan was the first African-American individual to serve as head of the police department in an interim capacity, doing so from late–1979 until January 1980. Fred Rice Jr., who served as superintendent from 1983 through 1987, was the first African-American individual to serve on a permanent basis. [3] [4]

Recent

On November 8, 2019, Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed retired Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck as the city's interim superintendent. [5] Mayor Rahm Emanuel had appointed former Bureau of Patrol Chief Eddie T. Johnson as Superintendent on March 28, 2016; on December 2, 2019, Mayor Lightfoot terminated Johnson's superintendent contract for cause. [6] He was preceded by Garry F. McCarthy, former director of the Newark, New Jersey, Police Department, as superintendent; this was approved by the city council on June 8, 2011. [7] McCarthy was the highest paid city employee with an annual salary of $260,004. [8] McCarthy was fired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel on December 1, 2015, after refusing Emanuel's request that he resign over the city's high murder rate and his department's handling of the murder of Laquan McDonald.

Prior to McCarthy's appointment, Jody P. Weis had served as superintendent of police since February 2008. At the time, Weis was the second Chicago police superintendent hired from outside of the city. He replaced Philip J. Cline, who officially retired on August 3, 2007. Weis' contract expired on March 1, 2011. Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Cline's predecessor, Terry Hillard, on an interim basis.

List of heads of the Chicago Police Department

OrderNameTenure startTenure endTitleMayor(s) served underBornDiedNotesRef
1st Orsemus Morrison (1) (a).png Orsemus Morrison August 1835May 2, 1837High ConstableN/A A June 24, 1807January 4, 1864Served 1 term. [1] [9]
2ndJohn ShrigleyMay 2, 1837March 4, 1839 William B. Ogden,
Buckner Stith Morris
November 22, 1802August 15, 1853Served 1 term. [1]
3rdSamuel James LoweMarch 5, 1839February 28, 1842 Benjamin W. Raymond,
Alexander Loyd,
Francis C. Sherman
17991851Served 1 term. [1]
4th Orson Smith Portrait (1).png Orson Smith March 1, 1842March 4, 1844City Marshall Francis C. Sherman,
Benjamin W. Raymond,
Augustus Garrett
April 29, 1801January 29, 1863Served 1 term. [1]
5thPhilip DeanMarch 5, 1844March 6, 1848 Augustus Garrett,
Alson Sherman,
Augustus Garrett,
John Putnam Chapin,
James Curtiss
June 24, 1804November 17, 1861Served 2 terms. [1]
6thAmbrose BurnhamMarch 7, 1848March 1, 1852 James Curtiss,
James H. Woodworth,
James Curtiss,
Walter S. Gurnee
August 7, 1811October 21, 1870Served 2 terms. [1]
7thJames L. HoweMarch 2, 1852March 6, 1854 Walter S. Gurnee,
Charles McNeill Gray
18151863Served 1 term. [1]
8thDarius KnightsMarch 7, 1854March 3, 1856 Walter S. Gurnee,
Isaac L. Milliken
1814October 22, 1882Served 1 term. [1]
9th Cyrus Parker Bradley (1).jpg Cyrus Parker Bradley May 26, 18551856Chief of Police Levi Boone November 11, 1819March 6, 1865For a year, Chicago briefly had an appointed Chief of Police position that co-headed the department alongside the City Marshall. [1] [2]
10thJames M. DonnellyMarch 4, 1856February 28, 1859City Marshall Levi Boone,
John Wentworth,
John C. Haines
Served 3 terms. [1]
11th Jacob Rehm (1).jpg Jacob Rehm March 1, 1859March 5, 1860 John C. Haines December 7, 1828March 6, 1915Served 1 term. [1]
12th Iver Lawson March 6, 1860March 4, 1861 John C. Haines,
John Wentworth
Served 1 term. [1]
13th Cyrus Parker Bradley (1).jpg Cyrus Parker Bradley April 6, 18611862General Superintendent of Police John Wentworth,
Julian S. Rumsey,
Francis C. Sherman
November 11, 1819March 6, 1865Was acting General Superintendent from April 6, 1861, until being appointed permanent General Superintendent on April 23, 1861. [1]
14th Jacob Rehm (1).jpg Jacob Rehm February 20, 1863July 3, 1863 Francis C. Sherman December 7, 1828March 6, 1915Initially appointed as interim General Superintendent, subsequently made permanent. [1]
Cyrus Parker Bradley (1).jpg Cyrus Parker Bradley (interim)July 1863April 1864 Francis C. Sherman November 11, 1819March 6, 1865 [1]
15th William Turtle (1).jpg William TurtleApril 23, 1864November 29, 1865 Francis C. Sherman,
John B. Rice
November 27, 1820February 14, 1887 [1]
16th Jacob Rehm (1).jpg Jacob Rehm November 18651871 John B. Rice,
Roswell B. Mason
December 7, 1828March 6, 1915Was interim superintendent from November 1865 until being officially appointed as permanent superintendent on January 13, 1866. [1] [10]
17th William Wallace Kennedy (1).jpg William Wallace Kennedy April 1871July 29, 1872 Roswell B. Mason,
Joseph Medill
May 1830September 20, 1900 [1] [11]
18th Elmer Washburn 1 (1).jpg Elmer Washburn July 29, 1872December 29, 1873 Joseph Medill,
Lester L. Bond,
Harvey D. Colvin
December 25, 1834November 23, 1918Was interim General Superintendent from July 29, 1872, until being appointed permanent General Superintendent on August 12, 1872. [1] [11]
19th Jacob Rehm (1).jpg Jacob Rehm December 22, 1873October 4, 1875 Harvey D. Colvin December 7, 1828March 6, 1915 [1] [10]
20th George L. Dunlap July 30, 1875November 22, 1875City Marshall Harvey D. Colvin City Marshall, at this time, existed as co-head alongside General Superintendent of Police. [1]
21st Michael C. Hickey.jpg Michael C. Hickey October 7, 1875August 1, 1878General Superintendent of Police Harvey D. Colvin,
Monroe Heath
1830August 31, 1900 [1] [11]
22nd Roswell Eaton Goodell in 1871 (1).png Roswell Eaton Goodell November 22, 1875June 5, 1876City Marshall Harvey D. Colvin October 21, 1825October 19, 1903City Marshall, at this time, existed as co-head alongside General Superintendent of Police. [1]
23rd Valerius A. Seavey (1).jpg Valerius A. SeaveyAugust 1, 1878September 7, 1879General Superintendent of Police Monroe Heath,
Carter Harrison III
1840September 7, 1879Was interim General Superintendent from August 1, 1878, until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on July 30, 1878. [1] [11]
24th Simon O'Donnell.jpg Simon O'DonnellDecember 15, 1879November 30, 1880 Carter Harrison III 1834August 3, 1893 [1]
25th William J. McGarigle.jpg William J. McGarigleNovember 30, 1880November 1882 Carter Harrison III September 12, 1850April 29, 1917Was acting General Superintendent from November 30, 1880, until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on December 13, 1880. [1]
26th Austin J. Doyle.jpg Austin J. DoyleNovember 13, 1882October 15, 1885 Carter Harrison III September 18, 1849February 6, 1924 [1] [11]
27th Frederick Ebersold (1).jpg Frederick Ebersold October 15, 1885February 14, 1888 Carter Harrison III,
John A. Roche
March 30, 1841January 21, 1900Was interim General Superintendent from October 15, 1885, until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on October 26, 1885. [1] [11]
Frederick H. Marsh.jpg Frederick H. Marsh (interim)February 14, 1888April 17, 1888 John A. Roche 1842May 3, 1929 [1]
28th George W. Hubbard.jpg George W. HubbardApril 17, 18881889 John A. Roche,
DeWitt C. Cregier
February 22, 1850??? [1] [11]
29th Frederick H. Marsh.jpg Frederick H. MarshJanuary 1, 18901891 DeWitt C. Cregier,
Hempstead Washburne
1842May 3, 1929 [1] [11]
30th 30TH-HEAD-OF-THE-CHICAGO-POLICE-DEPARTMENT-General-Superintendent-of-Police-Robert-W.-McClaughry-1891-1893.jpg Robert Wilson McClaughry May 18, 1891May 1893 Hempstead Washburne,
Carter Harrison III
July 22, 1839November 9, 1920 [1] [11]
31st Michael Brennan.jpg Michael Brennan May 1893April 8, 1895 Carter Harrison III,
George B. Swift,
John P. Hopkins
1844April 9, 1920Was acting General Superintendent from May 1893 until being officially appointed permanent General Superintendent on September 11, 1893. [1] [11] [12]
33RD-HEAD-OF-THE-CHICAGO-POLICE-DEPARTMENT-General-Superintendent-of-Police-Joseph-Kipley-1897-1901 (1).jpg Joseph Kipley (interim)April 8, 1895April 11, 1895 John P. Hopkins
George B. Swift
January 6, 1848February 6, 1904 [1] [12]
32nd John J. Badenoch.jpg John J. Badenoch April 11, 1895April 1897 George B. Swift April 5, 1851April 27, 1933 [1] [11]
33rd 33RD-HEAD-OF-THE-CHICAGO-POLICE-DEPARTMENT-General-Superintendent-of-Police-Joseph-Kipley-1897-1901 (1).jpg Joseph Kipley April 16, 1897April 23, 1901 George B. Swift,
Carter Harrison IV
January 6, 1848February 6, 1904 [1]
John E. Ptacek (1) (3x4a).jpg John E. Ptacek (interim)April 16, 1901April 30, 1901 Carter Harrison IV [1]
34th Francis O'Neil, Chicago PD.gif Francis O'Neill April 30, 1901July 24, 1905 Carter Harrison IV,
Edward F. Dunne
August 28, 1848January 28, 1936 [1] [11]
Herman F. Schuettler 184000024 (3x4).jpg Herman F. Schuettler (interim)July 24, 1905July 26, 1905 Edward F. Dunne July 14, 1861August 22, 1918 [1]
35th John M. Collins.jpg John M. CollinsJuly 26, 1905April 15, 1907 Edward F. Dunne 18401916 [1] [11]
36th George M. Shippy.jpg George M. ShippyApril 15, 1907August 3, 1909 Fred A. Busse June 24, 1854April 13, 1913 [1] [11]
Herman F. Schuettler 184000024 (3x4).jpg Herman F. Schuettler (interim)August 3, 1909August 15, 1909 Fred A. Busse July 14, 1861August 22, 1918 [1]
37th LeRoy T. Steward.jpg LeRoy T. StewardAugust 15, 19091911 Fred A. Busse March 24, 1862April 26, 1944 [1]
Herman F. Schuettler 184000024 (3x4).jpg Herman F. Schuettler (interim)1911April 4, 1911 Fred A. Busse July 14, 1861August 22, 1918 [1]
38th John-McWeeny.jpg John McWeenyApril 4, 1911October 23, 1913 Fred A. Busse,
Carter Harrison IV
March 15, 1857December 26, 1934 [1]
Herman F. Schuettler.jpg Herman F. Schuettler (interim)October 24, 1913November 3, 1913 Carter Harrison IV July 14, 1861August 22, 1918 [1]
39th James Gleason.jpg James GleasonNovember 3, 1913April 26, 1915 Carter Harrison IV January 13, 1861November 16, 1929 [1] [11]
40th Charles C. Healy.jpg Charles C. HealyApril 26, 1915January 11, 1917 William H. Thompson May 14, 18561959 [1] [11]
41st Herman F. Schuettler.jpg Herman F. SchuettlerJanuary 11, 1917August 22, 1918 William H. Thompson July 14, 1861August 22, 1918 [1] [11]
John H. Alcock (interim)January 11, 1918November 25, 1918 William H. Thompson [1]
42nd John J.Garrity.jpg John J. GarrityNovember 25, 1918November 10, 1920 William H. Thompson June 21, 1869August 10 1940 [1]
43rd Charles Fitzmorris November 1920 (1).jpg Charles C. FitzmorrisNovember 10, 1920April 16, 1923 William H. Thompson May 1, 1884August 18, 1948 [1]
44th Chicago police discuss how to keep peace during Chicago's municipal general election day 1927 (Morgan A. Collins).jpg Morgan A. Collins April 16, 1923April 14, 1927 William E. Dever April 5, 1886March 21, 1946 [1]
45th Chicago's New Police Chief and Assistants (1927) (Michael Hughes1) (a).jpg Michael HughesApril 14, 1927July 25, 1928Commissioner of Police William E. Dever,
William H. Thompson
September 24, 1870June 21 1956Was acting General Superintendent from April 14, 1927, until being officially appointed permanent General Superintendent on April 16, 1923. [1]
46th William F. Russell (1) (a).jpg William F. Russell September 12, 1928June 16, 1930 William H. Thompson December 1, 1874April 1, 1946Initially acting Commissioner, elevated to permanent Commissioner. [1]
John H. Alcock (interim)June 16, 1930October 1, 1931 William H. Thompson,
Anton Cermak
[1]
47th Chicago police discuss how to keep peace during Chicago's municipal general election day 1927 (James Allman).jpg James P. Allman October 1, 1931January 1, 1946 Anton Cermak,
Frank J. Corr,
Edward J. Kelly
October 16, 1875February 24, 1956 [1]
48th John C. Prendergast January 1, 1946November 16, 1950 Edward J. Kelly,
Martin H. Kennelly
October 19, 1884January 16, 1958 [1]
49th Timothy J. O'Connor November 14, 19501960 B Martin H. Kennelly,
Richard J. Daley
January 27, 1902December 31, 1968 [1]
50th O. W. Wilson March 2, 1960July 1, 1967Superintendent of Police Richard J. Daley May 15, 1900October 18, 1972 [1]
51st James Conlisk Jr. July 1, 1967November 1, 1973 Richard J. Daley October 2, 1918September 29, 1984Initially interim Superintendent, elevated to permanent Superintendent. [1]
52nd James M. Rochford November 1, 1973October 11, 1977 Richard J. Daley,
Michael A. Bilandic
October 1, 1921April 14, 2004Was acting Superintendent, from November 1, 1973, until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on February 11, 1974. [1]
Michael Spiotto (interim)October 11, 1977April 10, 1978 Michael A. Bilandic [1]
53rd James E. O'Grady April 10, 1978April 25, 1979 Michael A. Bilandic,
Jane Byrne
1929 [1]
Joseph DiLeonardi (interim)April 25, 1979September 1, 1979 Jane Byrne March 31, 1932January 28, 2017Relieved of command by Mayor Jane Byrne. [1]
Samuel Nolan (interim)September 1, 1979January 11, 1980 Jane Byrne September 30, 1997 [1] [13]
54th Richard J. Brzeczek January 11, 1980April 29, 1983 Jane Byrne October 8, 1942Discharged by Mayor Jane Byrne. [1]
James E. O'Grady (interim)April 29, 1983August 27, 1983 Jane Byrne
Harold Washington
1929 [1]
55th Fred Rice Jr. August 27, 1983November 1, 1987 Harold Washington December 24, 1926January 10, 2011 [1]
56th LeRoy Martin November 18, 1987April 12, 1992 Harold Washington,
Eugene Sawyer,
Richard M. Daley
1929August 31, 2013 [1]
57th Matt L. Rodriguez April 13, 1992December 1, 1997 Richard M. Daley April 5, 1936 [1]
58th Terry G. Hillard February 18, 1998April 18, 2003 Richard M. Daley August 11, 1943 [1]
59th Philip J. Cline October 6, 2003April 2, 2007 Richard M. Daley October 10, 1949 [1]
60th Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis (3862286581) (1).jpg Jody Weis February 1, 2008March 1, 2011 Richard M. Daley December 10, 1957 [1]
Terry G. Hillard (interim)March 1, 2011May 11, 2011 Richard M. Daley August 11, 1943 [1]
61st Ct-met-garry-mccarthy-chicago-mayor-20180321 (a).jpg Garry McCarthy May 11, 2011December 1, 2015 Rahm Emanuel May 4, 1959 [1]
John Escalante 2016 Spring Non-Violence Kickoff, April 14, 2016 -11 (26430918795) (1).jpg John Escalante (interim)December 1, 2015March 28, 2016 Rahm Emanuel Returned to command as First Deputy Superintendent of Police on March 28, 2016. [1]
62nd Eddiejohnson (1).jpg Eddie T. Johnson March 28, 2016December 2, 2019 Rahm Emanuel,
Lori Lightfoot
July 28, 1960Was interim Superintendent from March 28, 2016, until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on April 13, 2016; discharged by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. [1]
Charlie Beck (b).jpg Charlie Beck (interim)December 2, 2019April 15, 2020 Lori Lightfoot June 27, 1953 [1] [14] [15]
63rd David Brown 220528-Z-OR724-1032 (1).jpg David Brown April 15, 2020March 16, 2023 Lori Lightfoot September 18, 1960Was acting Superintendent from April 15, 2020, until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on April 22, 2020. Resigned post on March 16, 2023. [1] [15] [16] [17]
Eric Carter (interim)March 16, 2023May 15, 2023 Lori Lightfoot Interim superintendent; stepped down on May 15, 2022 [18] [19]
Fred Waller (interim)May 15, 2023September 27, 2023 Brandon Johnson [20]
64th Larry Snelling September 27, 2023 Brandon Johnson [21]

Notes

^A Orsemus Morrison's tenure predates the incorporation of Chicago as a city. While no mayor was serving at the time he was High Constable, John H. Kinzie was Town President

^B The position of "General Superintendent of Police" ceased to be the head of the Chicago Police Department prior to the end of O'Connor's tenure, which was December 29, 1964

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 "HEADS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT | ChicagoCop.com". ChicagoCop.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "History | Chicago Police Department". ChicagoPolice.org. Chicago Police Department. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. "Many Superintendents Have Tried To Reform the Chicago Police (TIMELINE)". DNAinfo Chicago. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  4. Lee, William; Schlikerman, Becky (January 11, 2011). "Fred Rice, 1926-2011". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  5. Gorner, Jeremy; Pratt, Gregory; Sweeney, Annie (November 10, 2019). "Mayor Lori Lightfoot appoints retired LAPD Chief Charlie Beck as Chicago's interim top cop". ChicagoTribune .
  6. Kozlov, Dana (December 4, 2019). "Eddie Johnson Officially Retires, But His Firing Was Technically A Demotion, Attorney Says". CBS Television Stations .
  7. "City Council unanimously approves McCarthy for police superintendent". WGN-TV. Retrieved 2011-06-10.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Garry McCarthy". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  9. "A History of the City of Chicago: Its Men and Institutions. Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens". Inter ocean. 1900. p. 440. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Flinn, John Joseph; Wilkie, John Elbert (1887). History of the Chicago Police: From the Settlement of the Community to the Present Time, Under Authority of the Mayor and Superintendent of the Force. Under the auspices of the Police book fund. p. 112, 553. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "The Chicago Daily News Almanac and Yearbook for 1917". Chicago Daily News Company. 1917. p. 718. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Michael Brennan resignation from Police Dept". The Inter Ocean. April 8, 1895. p. 7. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  13. Heise, Kenan (October 9, 1997). "Sam Nolan, First Black Police Superintendent". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  14. "Charles L. Beck: Commanding Officer, Detective Bureau". LAPD. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  15. 1 2 Masterson, Matt (April 15, 2020). "Charlie Beck Steps Down as David Brown Becomes Chicago's New Top Cop". WTTW News. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  16. Spielman, Fran (2020-04-22). "City Council unanimously approves David Brown as Chicago's $260,044-a-year police superintendent". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  17. Gorner, Jeremy; Sheridan, Jake (2023-03-01). "Chicago police Superintendent David Brown to exit CPD this month in the wake of the mayoral election". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  18. Koval, Andy (16 March 2023). "Eric Carter selected as CPD's interim superintendent". WGN-TV. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  19. Bauer, Kelly (20 April 2023). "Chicago's Interim Top Cop Will Retire Same Day Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson Takes Office". Block Club Chicago.
  20. "Fred Waller sworn in as CPD interim superintendent - CBS Chicago". CBS News. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  21. Spielman, Fran (27 September 2023). "City Council unanimously confirms Snelling as city's top cop. Now the hard part". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 29 September 2023.