Garry McCarthy says his experience at New York City’s ground zero on 9/11 was “horrific” but it helped Chicago’s new police superintendent develop leadership skills. “I really learned how to lead with a coolness and a confidence that will translate throughout the police agency,” he said. “I have a good reputation as far as being a leader in crisis management situations.”
McCarthy, 51, said he’ll look for a top deputy from inside the department to help him navigate, acknowledged he’s got a learning curve about the city’s street gangs, and plans to emphasize reducing the “fear of crime.” Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel said, “Garry’s experience spearheading innovation will bring new ideas to the Chicago Police Department. Garry is ready to lead today. He knows how to lead a large police force. The main reason I wanted to move with speed and haste was the fact that our citizens, with the summer months coming, deserve a public safety team ready to go on day one.”