Photo by Conner395
 
I mentioned it earlier this week–and never gave you more info. But here it is now: Jody Weis has “shook up” the police department.
 
On Friday, Chicago Police Department Supt. Jody Weis made James Jackson, 50, his first deputy superintendent, and Beatrice Cuello, 51, deputy superintendent of Bureau of Patrol. Jackson is African-American, and Cuello is Hispanic.
 
The Chicago Tribune also reports that Weis has created a bureau to keep officers in line. The new superintendent has appointed a former FBI man, Peter Brust, 51, deputy superintendent of this new bureau– the Bureau of Professional Standards.
 
Now for the shake-up: By giving these three high-ranking jobs, Weis caused three deputy superintendents to resign rather than be demoted.
 
Still, no one seems all that up in arms– at least according to what the news is saying.
 
Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) told the Tribune: “I think he listened to the concerns of all my colleagues concerning the first deputy. The first deputy is African-American. He is putting a Latina over the patrol division. I think he is listening to the community.”
 
Weis is listening to the community, that’s a positive thing. But what about the fact that the first time Jackson and Cuello were mentioned in the article announcing their ascension they were identified as “an African-American” and a “Hispanic woman.”
 
The paper could have identified Jackson as the Harrison District commander with years of experience investigating narcotics and gangs.
 
They could have introduced Cuello by calling her the Ogden District commander who has been involved with CAPS. They could have even said that she is currently getting her master’s at Northwestern University.
 
Why is race the most important characteristic? These two cops have years of experience under their belts.
 
What do you think? Will the accomplishments of Weis’s new appointments set them apart? Or does their race matter more?