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Aug 3, 2007 11:45 pm US/Central
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Chicago Police Say Farewell To Supt. Phil Cline
Mayor Daley Announced Friday He Wants Search For Replacement Reopened
by Dana Kozlov
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Hundreds of officers and local law enforcement leaders turned out to send off retiring Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline.
As CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports, Cline's big retirement party comes a day after Mayor Richard M. Daley told the police board to reopen the search for Cline's successor, and at least one possible candidate was in attendance Friday night.
Cline spent the evening patiently shaking one hand after another, as hundreds packed the Hyatt Regency's Grand Ballroom to wish him well.
"His concern for the safety of the people was very clear, his desire to work with the clergy, particularly, I became aware of… and I just have great respect for him as a man of integrity," said Francis Cardinal George.
And Cardinal George was in good company. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine and DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett also showed up for Cline's last official day on the job.
The question remains: who will replace him?
"And I think that the search should be from within the police department… I think that the character of the police department needs to be recognized, the culture of the police department needs to be recognized and I think that there's a lot of talent within the Chicago Police Department that could easily fulfill those requirements," said Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue.
That may be what the Fraternal Order of Police wants, but after narrowing the search down to three candidates last month – Chicago deputy superintendents Charles Williams and Hiram Grau and an East Coast chief – Daley wants it reopened. Current acting superintendent Dana Starks wasn't interested before, but has changed his mind, saying Friday night he will consider giving it a go now that the search has reopened.
Former Chicago cop and Washington, D.C., chief Charles Ramsey, who was passed over in 1998, is now another possible candidate.
Daley says it's all about finding the most qualified person. Starks says he respects that.
Cline spent the better part of four decades on the force and was, overall, well-respected by his officers.
He decided to retire after a series of police abuse scandals.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)