On Wednesday, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson officially named Fred Waller as the interim Supt. of the Chicago Police Department.
Waller will assume office on May 15, taking over for Eric Carter, who initially replaced David Brown, who resigned from the post in March.
“Chief Waller has dedicated his career to serving the people of the city of chicago at virtually every level of the department, from patrol officer to third in command,” said Johnson.
“He has the experience and integrity to lead the Chicago police department during this most pivotal time.”
Naming Waller as CPD’s interim superintendent was considered one of Johnson’s most important decisions. In the months and weeks leading up to his eventual victory in the April 4 runoff election, Johnson’s public safety and police reform approach has been and will continue to be heavily scrutinized. It’s a platform that opts for reinvestment in youth programs and communities and bolstering police accountability.
“My mission, along with Mayor-elect Johnson is public safety, keeping people in the city of Chicago safe,” Waller said.
The appointment does not come without controversy. During the press conference, Waller addressed a question about a suspension he served shortly before his retirement for a comment he made about rape during a meeting at CPD headquarters.
Waller admitted that what he said “was the wrong choice of words.”
“It was an attempt to emphasize how much resources were being taken from patrol, and it was just inappropriate the way I phrased it. It was taken out of context.”
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