CITY HALL — The City Council Wednesday confirmed 28-year Chicago Police Department veteran Eddie Johnson as the new top cop, with one alderman saying "he knows the streets."
At the same time, the Council also had to pass a "one-time" exemption to city law allowing Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make the selection without the prior endorsement of the Police Board.
"The city is clearly in need of healing, and I think Eddie Johnson is the person to do that," said Ald. James Cappleman (46th).
"He knows the streets. He knows the Department inside and out," said Ald. Anthony Beale (9th). "So we won't need a learning curve with this appointment."
Ald. Roderick T. Sawyer (6th) called Johnson a "no-nonsense police officer," and several of his Council colleagues said that Johnson has the other qualities to address the crisis in confidence resulting from recent police abuse cases and the ongoing U.S. Justice Department investigation.
The mayor upended the usual selection process last month by rejecting the three finalists chosen by the Police Board and instead tapping Johnson as interim chief, making it clear Johnson was his choice for top cop.
Wednesday's City Council vote was a unanimous 50-0. He was swiftly sworn in by Emanuel at City Hall.
Saluted by aldermen as a team player, Johnson said, "If I succeed, that means the CPD succeeds and the City of Chicago succeeds."
Johnson faced gentle questioning Tuesday in clearing the Public Safety Committee and was confirmed by the full City Council Wednesday.
Johnson said he didn't apply for the post during the Police Board search because he bowed to John Escalante, Emanuel's initial pick as interim chief. In a switch that earned the applause of aldermen for their mutual loyalty, Johnson has since made Escalante his deputy superintendent.
Addressing charges of Department racism including in a police task force report released this week, Emanuel said that having Johnson and Escalante at the top of the Department gave Chicago Police their most diverse leadership "ever," adding, "and all of them have earned it through their record."
Johnson grew up in the Cabrini-Green public-housing project until the age of 9, and has lived in Washington Heights ever since.
Johnson has pledged to "rebuild the culture of accountability and professionalism" in the Police Department and restore the public trust.
"I don't think there's anybody, anybody who has anything bad to say about you," Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st) told Johnson during Council debate on the confirmation.
Yet Ald. Edward Burke (14th) playfully if pointedly added: "You know what, Mr. Superintendent? That's gonna change."
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