Hoping to better connect with a growing minority community and stamp out gang- and drug-related crime, Calumet City hired its first African-American police chief Thursday night.
Edward L. Gilmore, deputy chief inspector for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Security Programs Inspection Division, was unanimously approved by the City Council. He is scheduled to start May 1 with a salary of $122,842.
“I wanted to find the best and most qualified chief that we could,” Mayor Michelle Qualkinbush said. “He has an outstanding resume, and I’m very excited about him coming. He is a very impressive individual.”
Though the selection of an African-American for the job reflects the city’s changing demographics, Gilmore was chosen mostly because of his federal experience and background of 30 years in working to fight crime, Qualkinbush said.
Gilmore, 53, will oversee Calumet City’s force of 92 police officers and a $7.5 million budget. There are black police chiefs in Harvey and Riverdale, but Gilmore is the first to oversee a department of that size in the south suburbs, officials said.
Gilmore was selected for the job after a yearlong national search led by former Chicago Police Supt. Terry Hillard, Qualkinbush said. The search committee reviewed 65 applications, and she interviewed six candidates, with Gilmore emerging as the strongest, she said. Current Chief Russell Larson is retiring.
“Probably, this is the first time in our city’s history that we’ve had a nationwide search,” she said. “Calumet City is growing and obviously revitalizing itself. We are dealing with a lot of movement into the south suburbs, and we’re working hard to protect our neighborhoods.”
The hiring of Gilmore comes as Calumet City struggles to overcome an increase in high-profile, often gang-related crime. The town is also going through a transition in its population. Once a city of Polish, German and Italian immigrants and their descendants, the 2000 Census shows the city to be 53 percent African-American, with a growing Hispanic population.
There also has been an influx of former Chicago residents looking for rental properties and affordable houses, officials said.
Along with the changes have come more demands on the Police Department, Ald. Thaddeus M. Jones said.
“We are cognizant that we need fresh ideas and someone with resources to tackle crime in a variety of ways,” Jones said. “People have come here, they don’t know how the city works and that has led to tension. The criminals are always trying to be one step ahead. This chief brings a wealth of resources and experience.”
In recent years, more departments have worked to hire officers and leaders who look like the populations they serve, said Patricia Hill, executive director of the African-American Police League, a national group based in Chicago. Having a diverse force helps put the community at ease and allows departments to better identify policing strategies, she said.
Hiring an African-American chief won’t eliminate the distrust minorities have for law enforcement, but it helps, Hill said.
Gilmore grew up in Chicago and started his career as a Chicago police officer in 1977. In the city, he worked as a patrolman and was recruited to work undercover vice. In 1987, he left Chicago to work as a special agent with the DEA in Atlanta.
On Thursday, Gilmore sat through a number of meetings with the mayor and City Council. He was introduced around the department and spent some time describing his strategy for connecting with the community. He wasn’t formally approved until the night council meeting.
Gilmore said he hasn’t fully developed a strategy to fight crime in Calumet City, but he has ideas. He plans to live in the town.
“Reduction of crime is the agenda of any good police chief,” he said. “I want to work on developing a sense of inclusion in the community and the Police Department. I plan to be very visible here, talking with the community leaders and citizens and finding out what their needs are.”
Gilmore said his federal connections should help him combat drug and gang problems in Calumet City. As an African-American, Gilmore said, he expects to be a role model for minorities but dismissed the emphasis on him being the city’s first black man in the top spot. In his career, he’s been the first African-American in many roles, he said.
“I’m excited to be here, and I plan to be the chief for a good while,” he said. “I’m excited about this new opportunity. It’s ultimately a dream come true.”
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lbowean@tribune.com
