Command Changes

CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT JODY P. WEIS NAMES FIRST DEPUTY

              AND REPLACES BUREAU DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENTS

         New Bureau of Professional Standards Deputy also Named

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2008 Two weeks after being sworn into office, Chicago Police Superintendent Jody P. Weis named James B. Jackson, a 23 year veteran, to serve as First Deputy Superintendent for the Chicago Police Department. Weis also announced replacements for three bureaus and named a Deputy Superintendent to head up the newly created Bureau of Professional Standards.

Harrison District (011) Commander James B. Jackson will serve as First Deputy Superintendent responsible for the day-to-day law enforcement operations of the department reporting directly to Weis. Jackson has held numerous ranks throughout his career in the Detective Division, Public Housing, Narcotics and Gangs, and the Bureau of Patrol.

“This was a tough decision to make, particularly with all of the talent and knowledge that make up this organization. I believe Commander Jackson’s hands on approach will continue to move the Department’s day-to-day operations forward with efficiency and strategy, keeping our communities and residents safe,” said Superintendent Weis. He added that Jackson has worked in some of the City’s most violent districts throughout his career and credits his crime fighting ability in the areas of gangs and narcotics.

Weis also named Marquette (010) District Commander Beatrice Cuello to head the Bureau of Patrol; Detective Division Deputy Chief Michael Shields to head the Bureau of Strategic Deployment; and Area Four Detective Commander Steve Peterson to head the Bureau of Investigative Services.

A new Bureau of Professional Standards will be headed by Peter F. Brust, former Special Agent In Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Los Angeles Field Office, who is expected to join the Department next week. Internal Affairs will fall under the Bureau of Professional Standards along with other department units which are currently under the new bureau’s organizational review.

“I believe that these men and women represent a well rounded, diverse, and experienced team of leaders, who will continue to carry out the Department’s mission, work to establish goodwill in the community, and provide opportunities for the rank and file who have a strong desire to advance within the organization,” said Superintendent Weis. “The addition of the new Bureau of Professional Standards will provide the framework for some of the fundamental units necessary to formulate training, professional responsibility, and accountability, “ he added.

Background:

Commander James B. Jackson   Twenty three year veteran, Harrison District Commander from 2003 to present. Other assignments include: Area One Detective Commander; Commanding Officer Public Housing South (Altgeld, Lowden & Trumbull Homes); Supervising Sergeant Narcotics and Gang Investigation Section; 004th District Gang Tactical/Mission Sergeant; 004th District Patrol Sergeant; 004th District Tactical Officer; 004th District Patrol Officer. Bachelor of Science, Aurora University, Master of Science-Law Enforcement Administration, Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Commander Beatrice Cuello   Twenty one year veteran, Marquette District Commander from 2004 to present. Other assignments include: 008th District Field Lieutenant; CAPS Office of Management & Accountability; Vice President CTA Security & Communications (Special Assignment); Commanding Officer Vice Control Section; Commanding Officer Area One Detective Division; 008th District Patrol Sergeant; CPD/CHA Transition Team Special Detail Assignment; 010th District Patrol Officer. Bachelor of Arts, Governor’s State University, Masters of Public Policy candidate, Northwestern University.

Deputy Chief Michael Shields   Twenty year veteran, Deputy Chief Detective/Area Two Patrol Division from 2002 to present. Other assignments include: 005th District Commander, 002nd District Lieutenant, 021st District Gangs Investigation Sergeant; 015th District Gangs Investigation Sergeant, Areas 3 & 4 Violent Crimes Detective, 021st District Patrol Officer. Bachelor of Arts, Lewis University, Master of Arts, Lewis University. -

Commander Steve Peterson   Thirty six year veteran, Commander Area Four Detective Division from 2003 to present. Other assignments include: Commander Airport Law Enforcement Section; District Lieutenant, 011th District; Area 4 Violent Crimes Sergeant; FBI/CPD Organized Crime Task Force Member; Area Four Homicide Detective; Canine Unit Handler; Area Six SOG Patrol Officer. Master of Science, Lewis University, FBI Academy Training.

Peter F. Brust   Twenty two year FBI veteran from 1986 to present. FBI assignments include: Special Agent in Charge, Cyber Crime Section Chief, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Baltimore Field Office, Major Theft Chief, Transportation Crimes Unit, Chief Violent Crimes & Major Offenders Section, Chief Criminal Investigative Division, Los Angeles Field Office Supervisory Special Agent, Congressional Affairs Officer Supervisory Special Agent, Quantico Special Agent-Phoenix, Arizona and Washington, D.C. Bachelor of Science, Illinois State University, Juris Doctor, The John Marshall Law School.

Comments

[Anonymous Detective]

To Hiram Grau and John Risley, May you enjoy a happy retirement. To bad the circumstances for your rewtirements came in this manner. 2 great bosses the Department lost. Hope this isn't a sign from the new Superintendent of things to come. This is a great department of police officers. The only problem this department lacks is allowing the command staff in place to do the things they want without politics getting in the way. A few bad people made this department look bad as a whole. Instead of threats how about some first hand encouragement. The Supervisors are not the problem, the problem is their hands being tied. Instead of cameras on every corner and radios that don't last for more than half a tour, plus the lack of manpower in all the districts and areas, how about addressing what is really needed. Disband TRU, cut down the gang and tact teams. Disband the special teams of PO's in the areas and put these people back in the districts. Get decent cars and equipment for all the department, instead of just a select few. When I came on you had no problems handling crime in the districts. Caps doesn't work and you don't need 5-10 people working in a district caps office. Put them on the street where they are needed. Why do you need so many unmarked cars in the districts. Tact teams, gang teams. Half the time they are not even available when needed. Seat belt missions are useless and just take away much needed manpower. Why were gang teams instituted when tact teams were already there. Do they suppress gang activity. No. Just more chance for police to get into trouble. Cut the caps personnel down, cut out the gang teams, lower the nuber of people on the tact team. If you want unmarked cars on the street, rotate them into the watches with the watch commander's discretion. Make the tact team part of the watches instead of their own separate team. Rotate the PO's working these cars. Keep the temptation to do something illegal down with this implementation. That way they are supervised by more than one Sgt. while on the street. When I came on you had no speacial units like TRU and gang teams. Wer had more than enough people on the watches then. I worked a fast district and we were in a backlog maybe once every month or two. The bad thing is the call volume was higher than it is now, but the cars were available. All the tact and gang teams do is try to pick up people on warrants or named offender's in case reports. Let the detectives and the units in the detective division do their jobs. Let the tact teams be absorbed by the watches. Let the bosses in the districts and areas do their job. this department can't be fixed until patrol gets the manpower it needs and morale is raised. From what I see with the first changes in command staff, I hope they see what has to be done, instead of more smoke and mirror tactics.
I know this won't be published, but how about showing the Superintendent what the problems really are.