JOSEPH DeLOPEZ: Cop’s Son Wants to Decentralize

Q. There has been quite an uproar over the Police Board’s decision not to include an African American in the final three. What do you think of that controversy?

A. It is an indication to all of us, especially all of us minorities, that we need to do a better job of encouraging and recruiting and preparing other minorities to apply for positions like the superintendent and other positions of leadership.

Q. Black politicians have been very vocal about the lack of a black candidate on the short list, but Hispanics were quieter in lobbying Mayor Daley on your behalf. Do you see your candidacy as somehow representing the Latino community? Wasn’t your father the founder of the Latin American Police Association?

A. That’s true, he was one of the founding members and president of the Latin American Police Association . I also have been the national president of the Hispanic American Police Commanders Association. But quite honestly, if I am selected, I will be the superintendent for the city and all people.

Q. Did you come from a police family?

A. My dad was a policeman, my son is a policeman, we are three generations of law enforcement. We really believe in public service in my family.

Q. In 1999, your son, Chicago Police Officer Daniel DeLopez, was involved in the death of Gregory Riley, a drug dealer who died of asphyxiation during an arrest. Riley’s family got a $225,000 settlement. Did you use your position to keep your son from being disciplined?

A. There was no use of my office or any pressure by me to have anybody do anything.

Q. What specifically was the “family problem” you disclosed to the Police Board as your reason for leaving the Chicago Police Department to become Winnetka’s chief?

A. It was actually two-pronged. One was to be able to spend time with my wife and give some support to my wife due to an illness that she had. And the second reason was to further expand my experiences and skills as a chief of police.

Q. The Chicago superintendent must deal with a variety of civil rights leaders. How would you respond to them?

A. Most recently in some of the race relations forums begun by Superintendent [Terry] Hillard, I was part of his Cabinet. I began working with the Arab community long before that. In the 10th District [where DeLopez was commander], we had a large Arab community running a lot of businesses there. I worked through the Human Relations Commission there to meet with the Arab community and help reduce the tension between the Arab community and the black community. I also have done the same thing in the 10th District when there was tension between the black community and Mexican community about sharing police resources and other city resources.

Q. The Police Board specifically mentioned that you were commander in three districts as a qualification for the superintendent’s job. What would you take from those experiences?

A. Two of the districts [Shakespeare and Marquette] had significant gang problems, homicide problems and community-relations issues. By working with the community and developing trust and support, and allocating my resources in a way I thought was pretty effective, and devising strategies that were specific, narrowly defined and not random, we were able to reduce crime.

Q. In 2002, Chicago recorded 650 homicides. Violent crime remains a significant problem. If you are chosen, what strategy would you deploy?

A. We have to have very intensely focused, specific and narrowly defined operations and investigations [and] need to ensure that we heighten and improve our internal communications…. We can use technology to do that. I believe in decentralized management as one of the mechanisms to achieve this reduction…. The superintendent must require clearly defined accountability, more so than there currently is…. We need to give deputy chiefs flexibility in terms of resources and allowing them to share resources across area lines. And we need to reinvigorate CAPS.

Q. What is your position on beat realignment?

A. Beat realignment is a difficult and emotional question in Chicago because no one wants to lose resources. [Instead] you can rapidly deploy resources based on good knowledge about what’s happening.

Q. What kind of commendations have you received and what were they for?

A. The Chicago Crime Commission’s public service award speaks to my efforts of reducing crime and the fear of victimization in the Humboldt Park community.

Q. Tell us a little something about your family and what makes you tick?

A. I’m a father of five and a grandfather of two twin boys. I have a very wonderful and understanding wife who for 32 years has been flexible and able to deal with all the unpredictable aspects of the law enforcement job I have had…. When I am not working, No. 1 is spending time with my children and grandchildren, traveling with my wife, and I like to play golf, run and play racquetball.