DeKalb’s top cop a finalist for Chicago police chief

Citing police sources, The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday that Alexander is one of three finalists to replace Garry McCarthy, who was fired in December after Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he had become a "distraction" as the city dealt with the aftermath of the controversial shooting of Laquan McDonald, a black teen shot 16 times by a white officer.

According to the paper, one source described DeKalb’s top cop as a “rock star.”

Alexander declined comment to The AJC on Friday. DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon said she would be disappointed if he left but not surprised.

“He had a problem getting his policies enacted, so it’s not unexpected,” said Gannon, who represents Super District 6. Alexander never had the full support of county leadership, she said.

This wouldn’t be the first time Alexander sought to leave DeKalb.

In December 2013 he was considered a leading contender to return to Rochester, New York, where he had previously served as police chief. Alexander's resume includes stints as a Miami-Dade County police officer, deputy commissioner of the New York State Police and security director for the Transportation Security Administration at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

A series of high-profile appointments and side jobs has raised his national profile since coming to DeKalb. Alexander, past president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, was named to President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Task Force and is a regular contributor to CNN.

It remains to be seen whether a CNN website column he wrote that was critical of Emanuel ends up hurting his chances in Chicago, which is on track to have 700 murders in 2016. Homicides have nearly doubled there from this time a year ago.

“Official evasion, deception and delay have made a terrible event corrosive and destructive,” Alexander wrote, referencing the mayor’s fight to keep police dashboard camera video of McDonald’s shooting from the public. “When the news is bad, our leaders have a duty to deliver it. Whether the news is bad for us or bad for them, they need to disclose it, fast and in full. Bad news does not improve with age.”

While Gannon credited Alexander with helping to restore the department’s credibility, his tenure has not been free of controversy.

The shootings of Kevin Davis, 44, in December 2014 and Afghanistan War veteran Anthony Hill, 27, last March sparked widespread local protest amid a national debate over police use of force. Last month, DeKalb Officer Robert Olsen became the first law enforcement officer in Georgia since 2010 to face prosecution for the shooting death of a civilian.

DeKalb District Attorney Robert James is still considering charges against the officer who shot Davis, who had just called 911 to report an assault on his girlfriend. Davis was armed, but by all accounts did not point his weapon at the officer.

Alexander responded by turning over all investigations of police shootings to the GBI. He also pushed for enhanced training in dealing with mentally ill suspects and pushed for police body cams.

“We have to be professional. We have to be above the fray. We just have to do what’s right by the law, ” Alexander told The AJC last year.

Chicago is expected to name its superintendent within the next few weeks. If Alexander leaves it is possible his job might not be filled.

A 2013 special grand jury impaneled to investigate a "culture of corruption" in DeKalb recommended eliminating the public safety director's position, saying it was redundant.

Gannon disagrees but said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May is unlikely to replace Alexander.

“Dr. Alexander has an understanding of community problems and a sensitivity to those issues you don’t often see,” she said.