Chicago native Eddie Johnson was confirmed this spring as the latest Chicago Police Department (CPD) superintendent on the strong recommendation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel after major upheaval of the department in the wake of the Laquan McDonald shooting.
Now the public gets a chance to look at Johnson's resume, which was uncovered by Chicago City Wire via a FOIA request.
On the force since May 1988, Johnson grew up in the Cabrini-Green and Washington Heights neighborhoods, remaining a lifelong resident of the latter community. On his resume, he states his objective as “enhancing and expanding crime detection techniques and abilities while learning … enforcement strategies.”
“Eddie Johnson has the command, the character and the capability to lead the Chicago Police Department," Emanuel said. "He understands how to reduce crime and rebuild trust between the police and the communities they serve. He will reinvigorate the tradition of community policing within the CPD, where officers don’t just patrol a community but are part of a community. In short, he will make our communities safer and will give Chicago a police department that every Chicagoan will be proud of. ”
Emanuel, with whom Johnson had worked for half a decade, appointed Johnson this year after thorough discussions with civic leaders, law enforcement professionals and others, concluding that Johnson was the right choice for the position.
Johnson, who graduated from Governor’s State University in University Park, has served in numerous leadership positions on the force and belongs to several industry organizations.
After serving as a patrolman and sector sergeant, he advanced through the ranks to lead anti-gang activity and oversee detective divisions, ultimately becoming deputy chief and bureau chief.
Additionally, he has received at least a dozen commendations and awards throughout his career. While overseeing Area Central in 2013, he was credited with a striking one-third (32 percent) reduction in arms-related violence, while his patrol managed to lower shootings by an additional 27 percent — approximately twice that of neighboring jurisdictions in the city.
Investing in numerous specialized trainings, Johnson has preparation in a wide range of operations, including counter-terrorism, suicide bombing prevention and response, incident management, anti-drug task force programs, youth aggression and traffic management.
His awards recognize abilities from problem solving to fitness. In 2013 he was presented with the Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award, an annual honor co-sponsored with United Airlines.
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