List of heads of the Chicago Police Department

The following is a list of heads of the Chicago Police Department.

Head of Chicago Police Department
Chicago Police Department logo
Incumbent
David Brown
since April 15, 2020
Inaugural holderOrsemus Morrison (as "High Constable")
Formation1835 (as "High Constable")

Currently the executive of the Chicago Police Department is referred to as a "Superintendent of Police". Preceding titles included High Constable, City Marshall, General Superintendent of Police, Commissioner of Police.

The current head, holding the position of "Superintendent of Police", is David Brown, appointed by mayor Lori Lightfoot.

History of titles

The original head of police position, existent from 1835 through 1842, was referred to as "High Constable". The position was an elected one.[1][2]

The second title used for the head of police was "City Marshall", which was used from 1842 through 1861.[1][2] The position was an elected one.[1] For a single year during (1855-56) this time, Chicago briefly had an appointed Chief of Police position that co-headed the department alongside the City Marshall.[1]

The title used for the head of police from 1861 to 1927 was "General Superintendent of Police". The position was an appointed one.[1] After the Board of Police Commissioners was legislated out of existence in 1875, the office of City Marshall was brought back to jointly serve as the head of the Chicago Police Department alongside the General Superintendent of Police.[1] This time, the office was an appointed one.[1] By vote of the City Council on May 31, 1876 the office of City Marshall was to be abolished.[1] The office was consequentially eliminated June 5, 1876, with the position of General Superintendent of Police reinstated as the sole head of police.[1] From this point on, the city has had only a singular head of police at a time.[1]

From 1927 through 1960, the head of police was titled the Commissioner of Police.[1][2]

In 1960, the head of police assumed its current title, Superintendent of Police.[1][2]

List of heads of the Chicago Police Department
Order Name Tenure start Tenure end Title Mayor(s) served under Born Died Notes Ref
1stOrsemus MorrisonAugust 1835May 2, 1837High ConstableN/AAJune 24, 1807January 4, 1864Served 1 term[1][3]
2ndJohn ShrigleyMay 2, 1837March 4, 1839William B. Ogden,
Buckner Stith Morris		November 22, 1802August 15, 1853Served 1 term[1]
3rdSamuel James LoweMarch 5, 1839February 28, 1842Benjamin W. Raymond,
Alexander Loyd,
Francis C. Sherman		17991851Served 1 term[1]
4thOrson SmithMarch 1, 1842March 4, 1844City MarshallFrancis C. Sherman,
Benjamin W. Raymond,
Augustus Garrett		April 29, 1801January 29, 1863Served 1 term[1]
5thPhilip DeanMarch 5, 1844March 6, 1848Augustus Garrett,
Alson Sherman,
Augustus Garrett,
John Putnam Chapin,
James Curtiss		June 24, 1804November 17, 1861Served 2 terms[1]
6thAmbrose BurnhamMarch 7, 1848March 1, 1852James Curtiss,
James H. Woodworth,
James Curtiss,
Walter S. Gurnee		August 7, 1811October 21, 1870Served 2 terms[1]
7thJames L. HoweMarch 2, 1852March 6, 1854Walter S. Gurnee,
Charles McNeill Gray		18151863Served 1 term[1]
8thDarius KnightsMarch 7, 1854March 3, 1856Walter S. Gurnee,
Isaac L. Milliken		1814October 22, 1882Served 1 term[1]
9thCyrus Parker BradleyMay 26, 18551856Chief of PoliceLevi BooneNovember 11, 1819March 6, 1865For a year, Chicago briefly had an appointed Chief of Police position that co-headed the department alongside the City Marshall[1][2]
10thJames M. DonnellyMarch 4, 1856February 28, 1859City MarshallLevi Boone,
John Wentworth,
John C. Haines		Served 3 terms[1]
11thJacob RehmMarch 1, 1859March 5, 1860John C. HainesDecember 7, 1828March 6, 1915Served 1 term[1]
12thIver LawsonMarch 6, 1860March 4, 1861John C. Haines,
John Wentworth		Served 1 term[1]
13thCyrus Parker BradleyApril 6, 18611862General Superintendent of PoliceJohn Wentworth,
Julian S. Rumsey,
Francis C. Sherman		November 11, 1819March 6, 1865Was acting General Superintendent from April 6, 1861 until being appointed permanent General Superintendent on April 23, 1861[1]
14thJacob RehmFebruary 20, 1863July 3, 1863Francis C. ShermanDecember 7, 1828March 6, 1915Initially appointed as interim General Superintendent, subsequently made permanent[1]
Cyrus Parker Bradley (interim)July 1863April 1864Francis C. ShermanNovember 11, 1819March 6, 1865[1]
15thWilliam TurtleApril 23, 1864November 29, 1865Francis C. Sherman,
John B. Rice		November 27, 1820February 14, 1887[1]
16thJacob RehmNovember 18651871John B. Rice,
Roswell B. Mason		December 7, 1828March 6, 1915Was interim superintendent from November 1865 until being officially appointed as permanent superintendent on January 13, 1866[1][4]
17thWilliam Wallace KennedyApril 1871July 29, 1872Roswell B. Mason,
Joseph Medill		May 1830September 20, 1900[1][5]
18thElmer WashburnJuly 29, 1872December 29, 1973Joseph Medill,
Lester L. Bond,
Harvey D. Colvin		December 25, 1834November 23, 1918Was interim General Superintendent from July 29, 1872 until being appointed permanent General Superintendent on August 12, 1872[1][5]
19thJacob RehmDecember 22, 1873October 4, 1975Harvey D. ColvinDecember 7, 1828March 6, 1915[1][4]
20thGeorge L. DunlapJuly 30, 1875November 22, 1875City MarshallHarvey D. ColvinCity Marshall, at this time, existed as co-head alongside General Superintendent of Police[1]
21stMichael C. HickeyOctober 7, 1875August 1, 1878General Superintendent of PoliceHarvey D. Colvin,
Monroe Heath		1830August 31, 1900[1][5]
22ndRoswell Eaton GoodellNovember 22, 1875June 5, 1876City MarshallHarvey D. ColvinOctober 21, 1825October 19, 1903City Marshall, at this time, existed as co-head alongside General Superintendent of Police[1]
23rdValerius A. SeaveyAugust 1, 1878September 7, 1879General Superintendent of PoliceMonroe Heath,
Carter Harrison Sr.		1840September 7, 1879Was interim General Superintendent from August 1, 1878 until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on July 30, 1878[1][5]
24thSimon O'DonnellDecember 15, 1879November 30, 1880Carter Harrison Sr.1834August 3, 1893[1]
25thWilliam J. McGarigleNovember 30, 1880November 1882Carter Harrison Sr.September 12, 1850April 29, 1917Was acting General Superintendent from November 30, 1880 until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on December 13, 1880[1]
26thAugstin J. DoyleNovember 13, 1882October 15, 1885Carter Harrison Sr.September 18, 1849February 6, 1924[1][5]
27thFrederick EbersoldOctober 15, 1885February 14, 1888Carter Harrison Sr.,
John A. Roche		March 30, 1841January 21, 1900Was interim General Superintendent from October 15, 1885 until being officially appointed as permanent General Superintendent on October 26, 1885[1][5]
Frederick H. Marsh (interim)February 14, 1888April 17, 1888John A. Roche1842May 3, 1929[1]
28thGeorge W. HubbardApril 17, 18881889John A. Roche,
DeWitt C. Cregier		February 22, 1850???[1][5]
29thFrederick H. MarshJanuary 1, 18901891DeWitt C. Cregier,
Hempstead Washburne		1842May 3, 1929[1][5]
30thRobert Wilson McClaughryMay 18, 1891May 1893Hempstead Washburne,
Carter Harrison Sr.		July 22, 1839November 9, 1920[1][5]
31stMichael BrennanMay 1893April 8, 1895Carter Harrison Sr.,
George B. Swift,
John P. Hopkins		1844April 9, 1920Was acting General Superintendent from May 1893 until being officially appointed permanent General Superintendent on September 11, 1893[1][5][6]
Joseph Kipley (interim)April 8, 1895April 11, 1895John P. Hopkins
George B. Swift		January 6, 1848February 6, 1904[1][6]
32ndJohn J. BadenochApril 11, 1895April 1897George B. SwiftApril 5, 1851April 27, 1933[1][5]
33rdJoseph KipleyApril 16, 1897April 23, 1901George B. Swift,
Carter Harrison Jr.		January 6, 1848February 6, 1904[1]
John E. Ptacek (interim)April 16, 1901April 30, 1901Carter Harrison Jr.[1]
34thFrancis O'NeillApril 30, 1901July 24, 1905Carter Harrison Jr.,
Edward F. Dunne		August 28, 1848January 28, 1936[1][5]
Herman F. Schuettler (interim)July 24, 1905July 26, 1905Edward F. DunneJuly 14, 1861August 22, 1918[1]
35thJohn M. CollinsJuly 26, 1905April 15, 1907Edward F. Dunne18401916[1][5]
36thGeorge M. ShippyApril 15, 1907August 3, 1909Fred A. BusseJune 24, 1854April 13, 1913[1][5]
Herman F. Schuettler (interim)August 3, 1909August 15, 1909Fred A. BusseJuly 14, 1861August 22, 1918[1]
37thLeRoy T. StewardAugust 15, 19091911Fred A. BusseMarch 24, 1862April 26, 1944[1]
Herman F. Schuettler (interim)1911April 4, 1911Fred A. BusseJuly 14, 1861August 22, 1918[1]
38thJohn McWeenyApril 4, 1911October 23, 1913Fred A. Busse,
Carter Harrison Jr.		March 15, 1857December 26, 1934[1]
Herman F. Schuettler (interim)October 24, 1913November 3, 1913Carter Harrison Jr.July 14, 1861August 22, 1918[1]
39thJames GleasonNovember 3, 1913April 26, 1915Carter Harrison Jr.January 13, 1861November 16, 1929[1][5]
40thCharles C. HealyApril 26, 1915January 11, 1917William H. ThompsonMay 14, 18561959[1][5]
41stHerman F. SchuettlerJanuary 11, 1917August 22, 1918William H. ThompsonJuly 14, 1861August 22, 1918[1][5]
John H. Alcock (interim)January 11, 1918November 25, 1918William H. Thompson[1]
42ndJohn J. GarrityNovember 25, 1918November 10, 1920William H. ThompsonJune 21, 1869August 10 1940[1]
43rdCharles C. FitzmorrisNovember 10, 1920April 16, 1923William H. ThompsonMay 1, 1884August 18, 1848[1]
44thMorgan A. CollinsApril 16, 1923April 14, 1927William E. DeverApril 5, 1886March 21, 1916[1]
45thMichael HughesApril 14, 1927July 25, 1928Commissioner of PoliceWilliam E. Dever,
William H. Thompson		September 24, 1870June 21 1956Was acting General Superintendent from April 14, 1927 until being officially appointed permanent General Superintendent on April 16, 1923[1]
46thWilliam F. RussellSeptember 12, 1928June 16, 1930William H. ThompsonDecember 1, 1874April 1, 1946Initially acting Commissioner, elevated to permanent Commissioner[1]
John H. Alcock (interim)June 16, 1930October 1, 1931William H. Thompson,
Anton Cermak		[1]
47thJames P. AllmanOctober 1, 1931January 1, 1946Anton Cermak,
Frank J. Corr,
Edward J. Kelly		October 16, 1875February 24, 1956[1]
48thJohn C. PrendergastJanuary 1, 1946November 16, 1950Edward J. Kelly,
Martin H. Kennelly		October 19, 1884January 16, 1958[1]
49thTimothy J. O'ConnorNovember 14, 19501960BMartin H. Kennelly,
Richard J. Daley		January 27, 1902December 31, 1968[1]
50thOrlando Winfield WilsonMarch 2, 1960July 1, 1967Superintendent of PoliceRichard J. DaleyMay 15, 1900October 18, 1972[1]
51stJames B. Conlisk, Jr.July 1967November 1, 1973Richard J. DaleyOctober 2, 1918September 29, 1984Initially interim Superintendent, elevated to permanent Superintendent[1]
52ndJames M. RochfordNovember 1, 1973October 11, 1977Richard J. Daley,
Michael A. Bilandic		October 1, 1921April 14, 2004Was acting Superintendent, from November 1, 1973 until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on February 11, 1974[1]
Michael Spiotto (interim)October 1977April 1978Michael A. Bilandic[1]
53rdJames E. O'GradyApril 10, 1978April 25, 1979Michael A. Bilandic,
Jane Byrne		1929N/A[1]
Joseph DiLeonardi (interim)April 1979January 1980Jane ByrneRelieved of command by Mayor Jane Byrne[1]
Samuel Nolan (interim)January 1980January 1980Jane Byrne[1]
54thRichard J. BrzeczekJanuary 11, 1980April 29, 1983Jane ByrneOctober 8, 1942N/ADischarged by Mayor Jane Byrne[1]
55thFred Rice, Jr.August 27, 1983November 1, 1987Harold WashingtonDecember 24, 1926January 10, 2011[1]
56thLeRoy MartinNovember 18, 1987April 12, 1992Harold Washington,
Richard M. Daley		1929August 31, 2013[1]
57thMatt L. RodriguezApril 13, 1992December 1, 1997Richard M. DaleyApril 5, 1936N/A[1]
58thTerry G. HillardFebruary 18, 1998April 18, 2003Richard M. DaleyAugust 11, 1943N/A[1]
59thPhilip J. ClineOctober 6, 2003April 2, 2007Richard M. DaleyOcotber 10, 1949N/A[1]
60thJody P. WeisFebruary 1, 2008March 1, 2011Richard M. DaleyDecember 10, 1957N/A[1]
Terry G. Hillard (interim)Richard M. Daley,
Rahm Emanuel		August 11, 1943N/A[1]
61stGarry McCarthyMay 11, 2011December 1, 2015Rahm EmanuelMay 4, 1959N/A[1]
John Escalante (interim)December 1, 2015March 28, 2016Rahm EmanuelN/AReturned to command as First Deputy Superintendent of Police on March 28, 2016[1]
62ndEddie T. JohnsonMarch 28, 2016December 2, 2019Rahm Emanuel,
Lori Lightfoot		July 28, 1960N/AWas interim Superintendent from March 28, 2016 until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on April 13, 2016; discharged by Mayor Lori Lightfoot[1]
Charlie Beck (interim)December 2, 2019April 15, 2020Lori LightfootJune 27, 1953N/A[1][7] [8]
63rdDavid BrownApril 15, 2020presentLori LightfootSeptember 18, 1960N/AWas acting Superintendent from April 15, 2020 until being officially appointed as permanent Superintendent on April 22, 2020[1][8][9]

Notes

^A Orsemus Morrison's tenure predates the incorporation of Chicago as a city. While no mayor was serving at the time he was High Constable, John H. Kinzie was Town President

^B The position of "General Superintendent of Police" ceased to be the head of the Chicago Police Department prior to the end of O'Connor's tenure, which was December 29, 1964

References
  1. "HEADS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT | ChicagoCop.com". ChicagoCop.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  2. "History | Chicago Police Department". ChicagoPolice.org. Chicago Police Department. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. "A History of the City of Chicago: Its Men and Institutions. Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens". Inter ocean. 1900. p. 440. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  4. Flinn, John Joseph; Wilkie, John Elbert (1887). History of the Chicago Police: From the Settlement of the Community to the Present Time, Under Authority of the Mayor and Superintendent of the Force. Under the auspices of the Police book fund. p. 112, 553. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  5. "The Chicago Daily News Almanac and Yearbook for 1917". Chicago Daily News Company. 1917. p. 718. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  6. "Michael Brennan resignation from Police Dept". The Inter Ocean. 8 April 1895. p. 7. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  7. "Charles L. Beck: Commanding Officer, Detective Bureau". LAPD. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  8. Masterson, Matt (15 April 2020). "Charlie Beck Steps Down as David Brown Becomes Chicago's New Top Cop". WTTW News. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. Spielman, Fran (2020-04-22). "City Council unanimously approves David Brown as Chicago's $260,044-a-year police superintendent". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
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