I am a retired Chicago police captain. As a sergeant in the early 1980s, always searching for outstanding officers to bring into my sector, a young patrol officer by the name of Fred Waller caught my attention. He was professional and caring, with a clear understanding of the problems and needs of the community and dedicated to making a positive difference.
Without hesitation, I recruited him to work on my team. Soon, it became apparent to me that Waller was leadership material. I subsequently watched his career as he rose through the ranks, each new promotion earning him praise and respect from both his subordinates, his supervisors, and the community.
