Chicago Police Department superintendent resigns in 2 weeks

CHICAGO (AP) — The superintendent of the Chicago Police Department announced Wednesday that he will step down in two weeks, seven months before he turns 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers.

Superintendent David Brown made the announcement the day after Chicago mayoral election where crime in the country’s third largest city was a central theme.

“I have accepted a job offer as Chief Operating Officer of Loncar Lyon Jenkins, a seven-office personal injury law firm in Texas,” Brown’s announcement said. “I will be stepping down as superintendent of the Chicago Police Department effective March 16, 2023 so that the incoming mayor can begin the process of hiring the next superintendent as soon as possible.”

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the brave men and women of the Chicago Police Department,” the announcement said. “I will continue to pray that all officers return safely to their families at the end of their shift. May the Lord bless the city of Chicago and the men and women who serve and protect this great city.”

Brown will be 63 years old on October 22nd.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who did not advance to next month’s mayoral election, issued a statement praising Brown for setting a record number of illegal gun recoveries in two consecutive years, leading to a double-digit drop in violent crime in 2022 and “the vastly expanded resources devoted to officer welfare; and the promotion of more women to the senior, non-permanent ranks than at any time in the history of the department.”

“I would like to personally thank him for his service to our city,” Lightfoot said in a statement.

Lightfoot appointed Brown, a former Dallas police chief, to be the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department April 2, 2020.

First deputy Eric Carter will be appointed interim superintendent pending a new mayor’s swearing in office, Lightfoot said.

Public safety dominated the mayoral election, in which Lightfoot lost her bid for a second term. All eight of Lightfoot’s rivals said they would fire Brown and replace him with someone else. These included the two candidates who advanced to the April 4 runoff, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

Lightfoot has defended Brown, saying the city needs an outsider to run the department after years of trouble and a federal consent decree ordering CPD to make changes. She also argued that the city is making progress in reducing homicides and some other crimes following the rise in crime during the pandemic. Her rivals said it wasn’t enough.