[Chicago News\Chicago Police]
Mayor Lightfoot: “Mr. Johnson has misled the people of Chicago. The 13,400 sworn and civilian members of the Chicago Police Department who work hard every day deserve a leader who they can believe in. In public life, we must be accountable for our actions and strive to do better every day.”
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Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, left, today fired police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, middle, for being “intentionally dishonest” with her. The firing comes on the heels of an IG report on Mr. Johnson.
“Today, I am announcing that I have terminated Eddie Johnson’s employment with the City of Chicago, effective immediately. Upon a thorough review of the materials of the Inspector General’s ongoing investigation, it has become clear that Mr. Johnson engaged in a series of ethical lapses that are intolerable. Mr. Johnson was intentionally dishonest with me and communicated a narrative replete with false statements regarding material aspects of the incident that happened in the early morning hours of October 17. Had I known all the facts at the time, I would have relieved him of his duties as superintendent then and there.
“Perhaps worst of all, Mr. Johnson has misled the people of Chicago. The 13,400 sworn and civilian members of the Chicago Police Department who work hard every day deserve a leader who they can believe in. In public life, we must be accountable for our actions and strive to do better every day. And to achieve the reform and accountability in the department that we know is urgently needed, we require a leader whose actions reflect the integrity and legitimacy of what it means to be a Chicago Police Officer. I am confident that incoming Interim Superintendent Beck is such a leader, and that both he and the eventual permanent superintendent will serve with honor.”
Mr. Johnson has been under scrutiny since he was found asleep in his parked car on Oct. 17, not far from his home, after a 911 call had been made. There had been speculation that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time but was given special treatment by the police who serve under him. Johnson had downplayed that he was impaired by anything saying “someone asleep in their car doesn’t mean they are impaired.”
Johnson claimed he was just tired and said he failed to take his blood pressure medication. “How can I explain it? It’s just your body kind of gives you a warning with the high blood pressure thing that you may pass out, so I pulled over, stopped and I just rested myself until that feeling passed,” Johnson said. However, Johnson allegedly later told Mayor Lightfoot that he “had a couple of drinks.”
The IG report regarding Mr. Johnson’s conduct as a public servant is currently not available to the public.
