A good first move. A safe move, but a good move nonetheless:
- New Fraternal Order of Police President Michael Shields hopes to press Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel to protect police officers’ pensions and “hold his feet to the fire” on a campaign pledge to hire more cops.
Shields, 33, said he collected 54 percent of the vote in balloting among current and retired officers to take over as head of the police union. He beat four other candidates in voting announced Friday.
Shields also said he hopes to meet with Emanuel soon to discuss qualifications for the next police superintendent.
It can't hurt to keep Rahm's promises on the front burner. It also sounds sensible to want a voice in who the next superintendent is. After all, we've got to work with that person for the next four or more years. There's going to be plenty of opportunities shortly to lob bombs and brickbats at the political order seeing as how Rahm is (hopefully) going to upset the apple cart.