Eric Carter, the interim superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, will retire on May 15 after three decades with the department, the CPD announced Thursday.
Carter, 57, joined the CPD in 1992. He was named interim superintendent last month after David Brown, the previous superintendent, resigned following Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s unsuccessful reelection bid.
“It has been my greatest honor to serve as your Interim Superintendent and I have committed to working with Mayor-Elect Johnson to ensure that our department continues to deliver transformational service to Chicago’s residents and visitors throughout the summer season, as the search for a permanent Superintendent continues and the subsequent transition,” Carter said in an emailed statement.
He previously served as Chief of the Bureau of Counterterrorism before Brown promoted him in 2020 to First Deputy Superintendent.
Lightfoot praised Carter’s time with the department in a statement issued shortly after his retirement was announced.
“As a Marine, husband, and father, he has given the full measure of himself in service to the residents of this city and the officers under his command,” Lightfoot said. “I am thankful for his dedicated commitment to our city and for leading the brave law enforcement officers who keep us safe.”
Carter’s retirement comes as the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability works to find three finalists for the superintendent position by mid-July. Once sworn in, Johnson will either select one of the three, or he can direct the commission to start the search process over. Whoever Johnson nominates for the job will need approval from the City Council.
