HEADS OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

HISTORY OF THE OFFICE

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The head of the Chicago Police Department has served under a variety of official titles, including High Constable, City Marshall, Chief, General Superintendent, Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.

There have been 63 administrations, but only 59 men have served as head of the Department. General Superintendent Cyrus P. Bradley served in two non-consecutive terms (1856, 1861) and General Superintendent Jacob Rehm served in four non-consecutive terms (1858, 1863, 1866, 1873). Bradley’s entry to office marked the first time that two people headed the Department.

For a brief period of time, beginning on May 26, 1855, the Department was headed by two people. Their official titles were the City Marshall and Chief of Police; which was later re-titled General Superintendent of Police on May 1, 1861. During this period the General Superintendent mostly acted as a figurehead while the City Marshall made the final decision on most matters.

RANK INSIGNIA

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Beginning in May 1855 each Head of the department has worn a rank insignia identifying their office and it has only changed once.

HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENT

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The heads of the Chicago Police Department are listed in chronological order starting with the most recent Superintendent of Police. Use the Page Index to jump to a specific five-year period.

PAGE INDEX

|  1850  |  1875  |  1900  |  1925  |  1950  |  1975  |  2000  |

64TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Larry B. Snelling (2023 – Present)

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63RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

David O’Neil Brown (2020 – 2023)

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Transition of Office: On March 1, 2023, Brown announced that he would resign effective March 16, 2023. The announcement came the day after Mayor Lightfoot lost her reelection bid, becoming a one term Mayor. Upon Brown’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Eric Carter was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Carter was named the Iterim Superintendent of Police while the search for a permanent replacement was begun by the newly formed Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability. On May 15, 2023, Interim Superintendent Eric Carter retired after 31 years of service. On the same day Mayor Brandon Johnson took office and appointed Retired Chief of Patrol Fred Waller the new Interim Superintendent of Police as the search for a permanent replacement continued.

62ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Eddie T. Johnson (2016 – 2019)

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Transition of Office: Upon Johnson’s resignation Former Chief of Police Charles “Charlie” Lloyd Beck of the Los Angeles Police Department was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Beck was named the Interim Superintendent of Police while the search for a permanent replacement was found.

61ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Garry McCarthy (2011 – 2016)

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Transition of Office: Upon McCarthy’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police John Escalante was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. On March 28, 2016, Escalante was returned to First Deputy Superintendent of Police and Chief of Patrol Eddie T. Johnson was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Rahm Emanuel until his official appointment on April 13, 2016.

60TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Jody P. Weis (2008 – 2011)

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Transition of Office: Upon Weis’s resignation Retired Superintendent of Police Terry G. Hillard was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Richard Michael Daley.

59TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Philip J. Cline (2003 – 2007)

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Transition of Office: Upon Cline’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Dana V. Starks was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Richard Micahel Daley.

58TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Terry G. Hillard (1998 – 2003)

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57TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Matt L. Rodriguez (1992 – 1997)

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56TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

LeRoy Martin (1987 – 1992)

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55TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Fred Rice, Jr. (1983 – 1987)

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54TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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53RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

James E. O’Grady (1978 – 1979)

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Transition of Office: Upon O’Grady’s resignation Joseph DiLeonardi was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Jane Byrne. In January 1980, DiLeonardi was relieved of his command and First Deputy Superintendent of Police Samuel Nolan was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Jane Byrne.

52ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

James M. Rochford (1974 – 1977)

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Transition of Office: Upon Rochford’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Michael Spiotto was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Michael Anthony Bilandic.

51ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

James B. Conlisk, Jr. (1967 – 1973)

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Transition of Office: Upon Conlisk’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police James M. Rochford was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Richard Joseph Daley.

50TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Superintendent of Police

Orlando Winfield Wilson (1960 – 1967)

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Transition of Office: Upon Wilson’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police James B. Conlisk, Jr. was named Interim Superintendent of Police by Mayor Richard Joseph Daley.

49TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Commissioner of Police

Timothy J. O’Connor (1950 – 1964)

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Transition of Office: Upon O’Connor’s resignation First Deputy Commissioner of Police Kyran V. Phelan was named Interim Commissioner of Police by Mayor Richard Joseph Daley.

48TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Commissioner of Police

John C. Prendergast (1946 – 1950)

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Transition of Office: Upon Prendergast’s resignation Timothy J. O’Connor was immediately appointed Commissioner of Police by Mayor Martin Henry Kennelly.

47TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Commissioner of Police

James P. Allman (1931 – 1946)

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46TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Commissioner of Police

William F. Russell (1928 – 1930)

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Transition of Office: Upon Russell’s resignation First Deputy Commissioner of Police John H. Alcock was named Interim Commissioner of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson. On June 17, 1930, Russell was reinstated as Captain and remained on the Department until resigning on January 1, 1936.

45TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Commissioner of Police

Michael Hughes (1927 – 1928)

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Transition of Office: Upon Hughes’ resignation First Deputy Commissioner of Police William F. Russell was named Acting Commissioner of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson. On August 1, 1928, Hughes was reinstated as Captain and remained on the Department until resigning on December 16, 1935.

44TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Morgan A. Collins (1923 – 1927)

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Transition of Office: Upon Collins’ resignation Captain Michael Hughes was named Acting Commissioner of Police by Mayor William Emmett Dever.

43RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Charles C. Fitzmorris (1920 – 1923)

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Transition of Office: Upon Fitzmorris’s resignation Captain Morgan A. Collins was immediately appointed General Superintendent of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson.

42ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

John J. Garrity (1918 – 1920)

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Transition of Office: Upon Garrity’s resignation Captain Morgan A. Collins was immediately appointed General Superintendent of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson.

41ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Herman F. Schuettler (1917 – 1918)

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Transition of Office: Schuettler took ill while in office and passed away. Prior to Schuettler’s death First Deputy Superintendent of Police John H. Alcock was named Acting General Superintendent of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson. Upon Schuettler’s death Alcock was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson.

40TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Charles C. Healy (1915 – 1917)

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Transition of Office: Upon Healy’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Herman F. Schuettler was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor William Hale Thompson. On January 12, 1917, Healy was reinstated as Captain and remained on the Department until resigning on January 5, 1918.

39TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

James Gleason (1913 – 1915)

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Note: On April 27, 1915, Gleason was reinstated as Captain and remained on the Department until he passed away on November 16, 1929.

38TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

John McWeeny (1911 – 1913)

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Transition of Office: Upon McWeeny’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Herman F. Schuettler was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Jr. On October 24, 1913, McWeeny was reinstated as Captain and remained on the Department until resigning on November 18, 1913.

37TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

LeRoy T. Steward (1909 – 1911)

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Transition of Office: Upon Steward’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent Herman F. Schuettler was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Jr.

36TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

George M. Shippy (1907 – 1909)

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Transition of Office: Upon Shippy’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Herman F. Schuettler was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Fred A. Busse.

35TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

John M. Collins (1905 – 1907)

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Transition of Office: Upon Collins’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police George M. Shippy was immediately appointed General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Fred A. Busse.

34TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Francis O’Neil (1901 – 1905)

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Transition of Office: Upon O’Neil’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Herman F. Schuettler was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Fred A. Busse.

33RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Joseph Kipley (1897 – 1901)

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Transition of Office: Upon Kipley’s resignation John E. Ptacek was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison Jr.

32ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

John J. Badenoch (1895 – 1897)

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31ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Michael Brennan (1893 – 1895)

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30TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Robert W. McClaughry (1891 – 1893)

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Transition of Office: Upon McClaughry’s resignation Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Brennan was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison Jr.

29TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Frederick H. Marsh (1890 – 1891)

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28TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

George W. Hubbard (1888 – 1889)

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27TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Frederick Ebersold (1885 – 1888)

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Transition of Office: Upon Ebersold’s resignation Frederick H. Marsh was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor John A. Roche.

26TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Austin J. Doyle (1882 – 1885)

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Transition of Office: Upon Doyle’s resignation Inspector Frederick Ebersold was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Sr.

25TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

William J. McGarigle (1880 – 1882)

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Transition of Office: Upon McGarigle’s resignation Department Secretary / Inspector Austin J. Doyle was immediately appointed General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Sr.

24TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Simon O’Donnell (1879 – 1880)

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Transition of Office: Upon O’Donnell’s resignation Captain William J. McGarigle was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Sr.

23RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Valerius A. Seavey (1878 – 1879)

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Transition of Office: Seavey took ill in office and passed away. Prior to Seavey’s death Deputy Superintendent of Police Joseph Dixon was named Acting General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Sr. Dixon’s resignation was later demanded by Mayor Harrison and he was replaced as Acting General Superintendent of Police when the Mayor appointed Simon O’Donnell to Deputy Superintendent of Police and then named him Acting General Superintendent of Police. Upon Seavey’s death O’Donnell was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Carter H. Harrison, Sr.

22ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Roswell Eaton Goodell (1875 – 1876)

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Note: By vote of the City Council on May 31, 1876 the office of City Marshall was abolished. Incumbent Mayor Harvey Doolittle Colvin ratified this vote on June 5, 1876 and informed the city council that Goodell had already been been removed from office by Elected Mayor Thomas Hoyne. The Chicago Police Department from this point forward would be headed by only one person.

21ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Michael C. Hickey (1875 – 1878)

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Transition of Office: Upon Hickey’s resignation Captain Valerius A. Seavey was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Harvey Doolittle Colvin.

20TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall George L. Dunlap (1875 – 1875)

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Transition of Office: Upon Dunlap’s resignation R. E. Goodell was appointed City Marshall by Mayor Harvey Doolittle Colvin.

Note: The Board of Police Commissioners was legislated out of existence in 1875. As a replacement the office of City Marshall was revived and took over the duties of the Board of Police Commissioners. Dunlap became the 1st City Marshall to be appointed by the Mayor under a new law which changed how the Office of City Marshall was filled. Prior to Dunlap the City Marshall was an elected office which had been previously abolished.

19TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Jacob Rehm (1873 – 1875)

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Transition of Office: Upon Rehm’s resignation Captain Michael C. Hickey was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Harvey Doolittle Colvin.

18TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Elmer Washburn (1872 – 1873)

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Transition of Office: Upon Washburn’s resignation former General Superintendent of Police Jacob Rehm was immediately appointed General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Joseph Medill.

17TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

William Wallace Kennedy (1871 – 1872)

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Transition of Office: Upon Kennedy’s resignation Warden Elmer Washborn of the Illinois Penitentiary was named Interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Joseph Medill.

16TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Jacob Rehm (1866 – 1871)

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15TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

William Turtle (1863 – 1865)

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Transition of Office: Upon Turtle’s resignation former General Superintendent of Police Jacob Rehm was named interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor John B. Rice.

14TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Jacob Rehm (1863 – 1863)

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Transition of Office: Upon Rehm’s resignation Secretary of the Police Board Cyrus P. Bradley was appointed interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Francis C. Sherman.

13TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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General Superintendent of Police

Cyrus Parker Bradley (1861 – 1862)

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Transition of Office: Upon Bradley’s resignation First Deputy Superintendent of Police Jacob Rehm was appointed interim General Superintendent of Police by Mayor Francis C. Sherman.

12TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Iver Lawson (1860 – 1861)

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Transition of Office: Lawson would be the last elected City Marshall as this office was abolished. Upon Lawson’s term ending he stayed on as Acting City Marshall until his replacement was appointed. The office of General Superintendent of Police was authorized as an appointed position chosen by the Mayor. On March 27, 1861, Jacob Rehm was appointed Deputy Superintendent and placed in charge of the police department until a General Superintendent was named. On April 6, 1861, Cyrus Parker Bradley was named Acting General Superintendent of Police.

11TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Jacob Rehm (1859 – 1860)

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10TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall James M. Donnelly (1856 – 1859)

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9TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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Chief of Police Cyrus Parker Bradley (1855 – 1856)

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Note: Bradley was the 1st head of the Department to be appointed. Prior to him taking office the “Heads of the Department” were elected. Bradley’s entry to office marked the first time that two people headed the Department. Even though two people now headed the Department, the Chief of Police position, later to be renamed the General Superintendent of Police, mostly acted as a figurehead while the City Marshall made the final decision on most matters.

8TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Darius Knights (1854 – 1856)

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Transition of Office: It was half way into Knights’ term that the Chicago Police Department began to undergo a major reorganization. A “Chief of Police” was appointed and for the next six years the Department would be headed by two people, The Chief of Police (Appointed) and the City Marshall (Elected) each of which would submit their own annual reports to the Mayor. The elected position of City Marshall would soon be phased out.

7TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall James L. Howe (1852 – 1854)

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6TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Ambrose Burnham (1848 – 1852)

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5TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Philip Dean (1844 – 1847)

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4TH HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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City Marshall Orson Smith (1842 – 1844)

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3RD HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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High Constable Samuel James Lowe (1839 – 1842)

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2ND HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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High Constable John Shrigley (1837 – 1839)

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1ST HEAD OF THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

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High Constable Orsemus Morrison (1835 – 1837)

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