White will remain as Louisville's top cop
Chief did not get post in Chicago
By Jessie Halladay
Courier-Journal
Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White says he's happy to be staying in Louisville after he learned yesterday that he did not get the top police job in Chicago.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced yesterday that he has chosen a 22-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to lead the city's 14,000 police officers. J.P. "Jody" Weis has been the head of the FBI's Philadelphia field office but will now take charge in Chicago, pending approval by the Chicago City Council.
White said he was called just after noon yesterday and told that he had been one of three finalists but was not chosen by the mayor."I'm flattered with the fact that I made it that far in the process," White said. "I have a full plate of things that we have to accomplish here in Louisville."White, 55, had traveled to Chicago in the past several days for an interview with the board selecting finalists to present to the mayor. He never had a one-on-one meeting with Daley.
White said months ago he was asked to throw his hat into the ring for the Chicago job, but told recruiters he was not interested. But after being aggressively recruited, he entered the process a few weeks ago.
"It was a professional opportunity that I would have questioned myself if I hadn't looked into it," he said.White said though he was up for consideration for the job, he was never distracted from his mission to reduce crime in Louisville, and he is not considering or being considered for any other positions.
White has been chief for nearly five years, since becoming the first leader of the merged city and Jefferson County police departments in January 2003.
Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson said he's delighted with Chicago's decision to go in a direction that leaves White in Louisville.
"The best thing that could happen for Louisville … is for Robert White to stay," Abramson said.
Over the past couple of weeks as word spread in the community that White was being considered in Chicago, the chief said he'd received many comments from citizens.
"I've been really touched," White said. "It really reminded me how appreciative people are about the efforts we've made in this police department."