Police Board President Lori Lightfoot’s name has also come up and questions have been raised regarding whether she had interest in being the next police superintendent have been raised. She said she wasn’t interested nor did she consider herself qualified to do so because she had not worked as a police officer.
Also controversial is the fact that Mayor Emanuel will reportedly pay Mr. Ramsey a $350-an-hour fee, and there is some speculation that the move could be part of a strategy by the mayor to ensure he has a superintendent responsive to him, although Emanuel and Ramsey have both dismissed such speculation.
In his comments, Mr. Ramsey seemed to come right out of Mayor Emanuel’s talking points.
“Chicago is at a defining moment, and I believe that Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Police Department are committed to meet the challenge,” said Commissioner Ramsey. “The situation in Chicago is not unlike many in cities across the country, but the people of Chicago should know that their leaders are working hard to restore trust where it has been lost. Progress won’t happen overnight, but a sustained and continued effort will put Chicago on a path forward,” said Mr. Ramsey.
Currently, there are about 40 candidates for the top job, and those that pass the background checks will be brought in for face-to-face interviews.
In December 2015, the United States Justice Department announced a civil rights investigation into the Chicago Police Department.