North Chicago's top cop quits amid brutality charges against department
As brutality allegations continue to haunt North Chicago, Police Chief Michael Newsome has retired.
Newsome, who had been on paid leave from the department since early January, sent a letter Friday to Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. announcing his intention to retire as of that day. Rockingham publicized the chief’s exit in a statement Monday.
“While I recognize that there has been a great deal of controversy in the last several months regarding issues of police use of force,” Rockingham said in the statement, “I have known Mike Newsome to be a person committed to the protection and safety of all the residents of North Chicago and one who always acted in a manner he felt was best for the citizens, as well as the members of the department.”
As investigations continue into the brutality accusations, the department is being helmed by interim chief James Jackson, a former second-in-command in the Chicago Police Department.
Rockingham placed Newsome on paid leave Jan. 3, amid a flurry of police abuse claims.
A Tribune inquiry into the department’s tactics found use-of-force incidents increased from eight in 2008 to 28 last year, according to city records. In that time, 10 federal lawsuits were filed against the city, which paid more than $1.4 million for excessive force claims. Only four officers were disciplined for the use of force during that period, and none were dismissed.
Last week, the interim chief ordered the unpaid suspension of a police officer for hitting a man in custody in July 2010 in a videotaped incident brought to light at a city council meeting in December.
Controversy began in November with the death of 45-year-old Darrin “Dagwood” Hanna after police intervened in an alleged domestic incident. The results of investigations by the Lake County coroner’s office and Illinois State Police have yet to be announced, but a private autopsy commissioned by his family members – who are suing the city – determined his death was triggered by a beating, the family’s lawyer announced last week.
Seven officers have been placed on desk duty pending official findings in the Hanna case.
In his letter to Rockingham, Newsome, who was appointed chief in 2005, voiced gratitude for the “opportunity to serve and protect the citizens of North Chicago.”
Rockingham praised Newsome for guiding the department during a “very difficult time when the city has been limited in resources,” and he credited Newsome with helping to reduce certain types of crime.