ROGERS PARK — A well-liked police commander was reassigned to a new post Thursday after more than a year as Rogers Park's top cop, the alderman said.
Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said in an email to constituents that Cmdr. James Roussell would be moved to a new position in the city's Area Central Patrol, where he will oversee four district commanders.
"He's very well respected downtown," Moore said. "I'm going to miss him."
Police Supt. Garry McCarthy named Capt. Terrence Williams, who had been serving in the Austin Police District on the city's west side, as Rogers Park's new commander.
Roussell had been well liked by neighborhood residents and business owners for his transparency and openness to community concerns.
The former commander had hosted monthly meetings with business owners on Howard and Morse avenues, while attending nearly every neighborhood CAPS beat meeting during his tenure.
During his time in Rogers Park, Roussell had overseen a drug bust on Morse Avenue that netted 15 suspects, and he had recently celebrated a three-month streak without a major violent crime in the neighborhood.
As the weather warmed this year, Roussell had been preparing his officers for the summer months.
"I'm just surprised. It was unexpected," said CAPS beat facilitator John Warner on Roussell's reassignment. "He will definitely be missed. He was a very hands-on commander."
