Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is reportedly announcing his retirement this week, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Johnson is reportedly considering retirement amid an investigation into an incident in which officers found him sleeping in his vehicle at a stop sign. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Police Superintendent is believed to be retiring after 31 years of service in Chicago’s Police Department. Johnson is known for overseeing the policing of Chicago, one of the most notorious cities of high crime, since 2016. But, Sources revealed to the publication on Wednesday that he may announce his retirement later this week.
At a City Hall budget meeting Monday, he told reporters he was considering retirement. However, he stated that his decision would not be based on the recent investigation.
“I have given 31 years now to this city, and almost four as superintendent,” Johnson said Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune. “You know, but I recognize also that at some point, it’s time to create another chapter in your life. And I will tell you all this: When my family and I went to London for the Bears game, that’s the first vacation like that that I’ve had since I became superintendent. And I looked at my family, and it made me realize how much of a sacrifice you make for your family when you take on positions like this.”
In regard to the investigation, Mayor Lori Lightfoot told the Chicago Sun-Times that Johnson confessed to her, following the Oct. 17 sleeping incident, that he had “a couple of drinks with dinner” before driving that night.
”I know what the superintendent told me, which is that he was…changing medication…He’d been out to dinner with some folks. He told me he was driving home,” The Mayor said to the newspaper. “He felt ill and pulled over to the side of the road, which he believed was the prudent thing to do…[Internal Affairs Divison] will sort out the rest.”
Johnson eventually requested an investigation on himself, and now, he may soon step down.
