Nearly 400 officers assigned to specialized citywide units and district tactical teams will don uniforms to boost police visibility on the streets with the approach of warmer weather and the increased violence that comes with it, the Chicago Police Department said Friday.
More than 70 other officers already have been moved from specialized assignments to strengthen patrol operations, Interim Superintendent Terry Hillard said.
"Patrol is the backbone of the Chicago Police Department," Hillard said at a news conference at police headquarters. "Every other unit in this police department, even the superintendent's office, is a support unit for patrol."
No one disbanded. The "tact in uniform" is a replay of a few years ago. We're seeing smoke, maybe a little bit of mirror here. Again, this isn't a criticism of Hillard. He doesn't do the testing, screening and hiring. He also has been in charge for barely two weeks and any changes will be narrow in scope.
Patrol may be the backbone, but it's still being treated as the ass.
Patrol may be the backbone, but it's still being treated as the ass.