Chicago Police: An Inside View--the Story of Superintendent Terry G. Hillard

In macro-style, this book examines crime, criminal activity, and police response in the city of Chicago, which has a long history of and association with crime. The purpose of this book is to give the reader an inside view of the Chicago Police Department so that a better understanding might be gained of police operations not only in Chicago but in other major city police agencies. Chapter One provides an overview of the history and cultural characteristics of the city of Chicago. Chapter Two summarizes the history of crime in Chicago in the twentieth century by focusing on five infamous crime episodes: Leopold and Loeb, Capone, Dillinger, Speck, and Gacy. In large part, this book is centered on the life and career of Terry G. Hillard, who served as a Chicago police officer for 35 years and retired as superintendent of police. Hillard's early life and career is examined to gain perspective on how his childhood and experiences on the job contributed to his rise to the top of the nation's second largest police agency. The balance of the book focuses on the over five years in which Hillard served as superintendent of police. By looking at the challenges, problems, and issues that Superintendent Hillard faced in his tenure, future police administrators will be forewarned concerning possible pitfalls and better informed about effective management techniques. The book also delves into how the Chicago Police Department battles gangs, guns, drugs, and murder; how Hillard exhibited leadership in good times and in bad times; how Hillard dealt with politicians, the community, cops on the street and the media; how the department handled difficult crimes and their investigations; and how Hillard led, what he learned in the process, and what he accomplished. The book also discusses contemporary police issues including police corruption and brutality, use of force by police, police pursuits, police shootings and deaths, community policing, police accountability, and the use of emerging technologies in the fight against crime.