EDGEWATER — Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) will be joined by Foster Police District Cmdr. Cornelia Lott this week as the city recruits a new class of officers, with an emphasis on diversity.
On Thursday, Osterman and Lott will be at the Broadway Armory between 6-7 p.m. to speak with interested civilians about joining the force. A flier from the police department promises an annual salary of $72,510, plus benefits, after 1½ years on the job.
"Becoming a police officer provides more than a great source of income, it provides a great source of pride," the flier reads.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31 and a written exam will be administered in April, with priority given to graduates of Chicago Public Schools and those with military experience. The department only hires new recruits every few years.
In a weekly newsletter to residents, Osterman said the police department will be focusing on diversity as part of its recruitment strategy — an initiative he said he supports as part of a "top-to-bottom" look into the department, he said last week.
The recruitment efforts come just two weeks after video of a Chicago Police officer fatally shooting teen Laquan McDonald tore through the city and made international headlines.
In the video's wake, Osterman met with residents and faith leaders across the North Side, answering questions and calling for increased diversity in officer recruitment, updated police training and serious investigations into officer complaints — issues he said can be addressed when re-evaluating officer contracts next year.
In a letter sent to residents soon after the video was released, Osterman said the 2014 incident involving Officer Jason Van Dyke, who has since been charged with first-degree murder, "destroys trust between our residents and the police, and unfairly harms the reputation of many fine police officers who give so much to our community."
At a community meeting to discuss the video and the city's alleged attempt to cover it up, Osterman said he's known of situations in Edgewater between police and youths where interactions could have been improved.
With more diversity in recruitment and better training, among other changes, Osterman hopes the department will improve, he said.
Recently, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a basketball legend but also a frequent author and social commentator on race, suggested more women officers might lead to less police brutality.
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