Cronin to Retire
Cronin has devoted nearly all of his 36 years as a Chicago cop to understanding street gangs and locking up gang leaders, with a determination, fairness and work ethnic that some of the city's top law enforcement officers say is beyond exceptional.
He retires as deputy chief of the Narcotics and Gang Investigation Section at the end of November, a week or so short of turning 63, the mandatory retirement age. He takes with him a head full of history on gang warfare and territory.
A whole lot of big exempt openings all of the sudden. This might be one of the larger ones. Expect a lot of brass movement around in the next 60 days or so. We've heard it might be the Supe's last hurrah before slipping off into retirement around the time of the mayor's next coronation ceremony.
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
71 Comments:
HE'LL BE BACK AS A CIVILIAN BEFORE YOU CAN BLINK!
That is a long time Good luck on reitirement
Another self-serving nobody retiring at an inflated pay scale. He got made by his buddy Hillard just for that purpose. He doesn't have any more knowledge than the average beat cop, detective, or former gang specialist. He walked around area 4 with a piece of paper in his hand, looking like he was doing something. He never cleared a case, shared any of his "knowledge and expertese", or helped anybody but himself. I even think he wrote the article himself.
Cronin unfriendly jagoff sixteen years on the job and I have never seen the the "best policeman" according to Dick head Devine (whom I will never vote for) at 26th and California. I have spent plenty of time there too.
I nominate myself for Cornin's job. I will be a write-in candidate so everyone please spell by name right. Thank You in advance.
But surprise will be back as director ala maurer, townsend RIP etc how much money do these guys need?
Best cop to ever put on a uniform. He never once lost a drop case.
The rumor from the Hall is Cline and Starks will both be gone after the Mayor's election (of their own choice). Cline is headed to the G and Starks to Cook County. Who will the next Supt. and First Deputy be? Round and round the wheel goes - where it stops no one knows.
He is the only boss I met who stammered and stuutered his way thru meetings. Maybe the Supt. should have sent him to management school instead of London on a two week vacation - Checking out London's surveillance system. By the way, which he has no knowledge about. At least Cronie got everyone on the same page - Hating him.
Hmmm...
New Breeds
Vice Lords
Mickey Cobras
This guy hates the brown man?
I real policeman would have acknowledged the 60-75 other P.O.,Det,Sgt.,Lt. or other rank that actually have made most of Cronies conspiracy case solid. No one P.O. can do it alone. He sold the deal to the bosses, but many more than he worked on the case to bring it to fruition.
For Goodness sake, retire, laugh all the way to the bank twice a month. Enjoy not having to get up at 0600 and work until 2100.
Go fishing.
Go hunting.
Go to the movies.
These animals were here before Cronin, and will be here after Cronin. No need to falsely believe he changed the world.
Guess he wants to put more of his Cronies ( ???? ) in for Meritorious positions and F*&% the whole thing up even more.
Now go get your shine box.
I have known him for many years. He is the real deal...a true cop. Police work is his life. It would be hard to imagine him not being involved in police work in some capacity during retirement. I wish him all the best. We should have more like him.
Cronin knows the West Side but is lost in every other part of the city.
He retires with 7,000 hours on the books but refuses to let anyone in NAGIS work overtime, why? Another case of an unqualified individual promoted way over his abilities.
piece of shit self-serving goof cronin blows
Rarely have I seen the rank and file salivate over a retirement like they have over Cronies. He's a micromanager who was promoted without the benefit of any supervisory experience...went right from P.O. to Exempt. As a result, he has NO IDEA how to manage people.
His true retirement party could fit in a phone booth. The one that actually happens will be filled with exempts who are not stupid enough to cross this vindictive bastard.
I'll follow Cronin through any door. If Cronin has a search warrant on the devil in hell I would follow him there.
In the 70's the gang bangers called him "meathead" as in the All In The Family comedy. They laughed at him behind his back. Anyone that worked with him knew he was a goof.
Oooo...you got all the haters all wound up! Geniuses like the guy who said that Hilliard "made" him.
Anyway, he's going over to HIDTA, and then possibly to the Cook County State's Attorney's Investigators as the boss when the current guy retires in 2 years. That's right from his own mouth, not a rumor.
Cronin is the biggest Jag, and all this "Best Cop To Put On A Uniform" crap, only helps to inflate his Huge Ego! No people skills, and a Micro Mgr. Got on the Job when Old Man Daley allowed him on after his return from Viet Nam minus a part of his leg, for which he wears a prosthesis. Thanks for your Military Service, and all you've done for the Department but, "Best Cop" give me a break! Never chased down a bad guy, and has all his "experience" is dealing with West Side bangers (not the brightest or hardest to arrest). Pookie and Ray-Ray will miss you.
NEXT!
If he was such a great cop how come it took him 33 years to shed the rank of PO?
Within the last three years he went from PO to Commander and then to Deputy Chief? If he was so great he should have had that kind of movement a long time ago.
Also heard that the little prick dumped a load of people his last few days in command. Now this is just from hering it from others so I do not know what type of workers these people had been, but why wait to the last week before you retire?
This guy could never hold a candle to Det Kato, truely the best cop good old Dick should have ever seen in the last 30 years if he ever did anything ut suck up to other Dem the whole time
Think Ol' Man Daley would have bent the rules and hired a disabled combat veteran if that person was Polish, German, Italian, Lithuainian, etc.? Fuck no. And we don't make exempt memebers out of patrolmen unless their Irish, either. Lot of great coppers will retire pushing beat cars.
If you ever worked with him he was one of the best. Don't hate a man who devoted his life for the job. I personally wouldn't do it but he did it by his own accord. He knew the westside players very well at one time and that shit about one bag is all B.S. Mike was at 26th and cal all the time but only a moron would think he would be sitting in dope court.
I love how the Sun Times article explains in detail that he got his job due to his political connections. I'm all for a guy getting on and overcoming the loss of his foot, but do you think YOU OR ME would have gotten this consideration? No and you KNOW he NEVER received the SAME consideration when he was up for any promotion. NOT! (Thats a Not joke BTW Borat fans) Something to be proud of eh>? Signed - What the fuck do I know, I'm still a frickin patrolman.
"Cronin": I can't say anything about his police work, I hear he was knowledgeable about gangs. Big Deal. All I can vouch for is his sour personality, walk right past you without saying a word even if you acknowledged him. It's common courtesy to respond! He doesn't have to prove himself to me. If he would have spent his years as a policeman treating other policemen with mutual respect, then I wouldn't be writing this. When it came to testifying in court: Judges found him believable because he steps into that court room with those big glasses that he got from Robert Dinero in Casino; I mean, how can you not want to believe him. No one in their right mind would wear dem dings. ANyway, I will extend a bit of respect to him, as I've done in the past, I wish him a great retirement.
No greater example of clout gone awry. A man with no college, never even a supervisor, becomes a commander, and on to deputy chief.
Not to mention that he has absolutely NO people skills!
But alas, he is a shining example that the hoops the average Joe has to jump through to move up (minimum 60 hrs. college, and taking the required promotional exam) don't have to apply if your clout goes deep enough....or at least your throat.
The best perspective I've yet heard " self serving nobody." Someone had to say it, thank you.
Some of you guys are pretty disgusting. I doubt if ANYBODY has given more to or done more for the city than Cronin. You ought to be ashamed. Jealousy perhaps?
He forgot where he came from
Is there anybody mentioned on this blog who would get nothing but good comments? I have never seen a name on this blog that somebody wouldn't write something bad about.
never met him, but good for him! enjoy retirement!
Thank God maybe some of the Sgt's at OCD/GI won't be so scared about having to sign the yellow slips. I can't judge the man on his days as a gang specialist (because I didn't know him then) but he was not as popular as a boss as some believe. Horrible supervisor skills, but since I'm a gentlemen Good Luck anyway and go find another way to enjoy life besides the police.
much to do about nothing
Hey 11/27/2006 02:29:34A.M.
Don't let the facts get in the way of your rant. Cline put Cronin where he is, and not Hilliard. If you are going to slam somebody, at least get your facts straight. Wonder how much else of your rant is factual? And no I am not a friend of Cronin, nor am I up his ass.
NEWS FLASH,
CRONIN appoints his son to replace him upon his retirement. CRONIN JR. is well qualified because he grew up in the same household as his father.
This Christmas let us remember our lord savior who died for our sins. Most of us know him as Jesus Christ, but he does go by one other name: CRONIN!!
From Cronins mouth to my ears...
He is coming back to the P.D. after a brief time off.
Think Ol' Man Daley would have bent the rules and hired a disabled combat veteran if that person was Polish, German, Italian, Lithuainian, etc.? Fuck no. And we don't make exempt memebers out of patrolmen unless their Irish, either. Lot of great coppers will retire pushing beat cars.........
Hey! Fuck You!! What about that queer Huberman? He isn't Irish you Jagoff! There's plenty of Mother Fuckers promoted around here that aren't Irish and don't deserve being promoted. Gimme a fuckin' break if you think the Irish still run this department. You're a real moron.
I can't believe the negative comments about Cronin. Now I can't attest to the last three years as an exempt member because I did not work for him. But before that I can.
For those few that state Cronin did no work and was never at 26th Street, you're full of shit. The man has three generations of knowledge regarding the west side. Of course the west side is his specialty. He worked in Gangs West for years. No other copper but Farrell and Kato struck fear into ranking gang members. Never once did I hear a gang leader or an up and coming gang leader say that Cronin put any case on them. They respected and feared Cronin because when Cronin put you on his radar screen, you were cooked. Those bangers all knew that. Many times I've used Cronin's name to gain cooperation from these leaders. I can't tell you how many times Cronin told me about a wire being up, where I could find a particular guy, the times I paged him for information with him unselfishly calling back and exchanging information with me. The man has been acknowledged at 26th Street as a gang expert by numerous judges and numerous times. As far as Cronin not solving any murders in Area Four, you need to take a piss test dude.
For the copper that says big deal about knowing gangs. That was my attitude in the mid 80's until the deeper I became involved in the game of police work, the more I realized that gangbangers run a lot of neighborhoods.
When Cline made Cronin a Commander there wasn't a working copper that wasn't happy for the man. In fact, at the time it was considered one of the best moves by a Superintendent for morale in 25 years. Maybe things didn't work out for him as far as being a supervisor. But you can't say shit about the man's previous 30 years of police service.
Mike, good luck in whatever you decide to do.
He sounds like another clout baby to me and I see another clout baby replacing him, it all ligit boys and girls. Hey I grew up in the inner city in the 80's when gangs were rampant, I know alot about city gangs,colors, set, etc... can I get his spot? A patrolman with no clout.
EXPERT IN GANGS....... WHAT DOES THAT MEAN YOU REMEMBER ALOT OF GOOF BALLS NICKNAMES AND WHERE THEY STAND EVERY DAY SELLING. WHAT'S ALL THIS NONSENSE ABOUT BANGERS IN FEAR OF CRONIN. IF A BLACK AND HISPANIC OFFICER KNOWS ALL THE SAME INFO HE IS A BANGER. BUT IF I'M A VETERAN WITH A WHOLE LOT OF YEARS GIVE ME A PARADE.
NAME THE BANGER THAT SAID HE IS FEARFUL?? I KNOW HE IS A GREAT GUY PLEASE LET PICK HEROS LIKE THE GUY THAT GIVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR OTHERS WITHOUT CLOUT WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET THEIR OLD BADGES PUT IN A GLASS CASE.
Hey! Fuck You!! What about that queer Huberman? He isn't Irish you Jagoff! There's plenty of Mother Fuckers promoted around here that aren't Irish and don't deserve being promoted. Gimme a fuckin' break if you think the Irish still run this department. You're a real moron.
11/27/2006 09:28:15 PM
No, but the Irish think they're the best. They think they should run the department. The Irish usually talk about "when their dad was on the job." What a farce!!
Keep thinking the Irish are the best. The Irish do real well in the World Cup Soccer and the Olympics. LOL
I will give the guy credit for 36 years of service. I still can never recall seeing him at 26th and California in sixteen years. I am sure like most of us he is the best cop he has ever known, though a very unfriendly man. What is wrong with smiling?
I guess the states attorneys liked him because he did all of the shit work for them, i.e. getting the reports and making copies for those politically connected states attorneys.
Why diefy the man? 36 years never fired a shot, on the west side? How does that happened.
For my money a real policeman is Eddie May, out there humping after all these years.
Well the precendent has already been set I say make Eddie May the Deputy Chief of OCD at least he has a better personallity, and he too is a Viet Nam vet.
Alas he actually goes to 26th and California, I guess he would be over qualified.
the ATF will be glad to see him go.
he tried to run them too
Cronin is the real deal. I have had the pleasure of seeing him at his best. Cronin worked hard and long. No one has those same work ethics anymore. If we did we would be better off as a department. Good luck Mike. I hope you return in some other capacity. Police work is your life.
I thought Huberman is Irish.
I cannot believe the person who says they NEVER saw Cronin at 26 & Cal.
I used to spend all day in 57 and 25, and he was there, either in the branch or the trial courts... Maybe he hasn't been there in the last few years, but Cronin was the hardest working police officer I ever met.
So what if he never fired his gun? I am sure you can find lots of guys who haven't been in a shootout, even on the west side....
Mike Cronin is a dedicated police officer, and never got discouraged from doing his job regardless of the issues we all face every day. Many people were upset at him being promoted to Commander, and in some sense, it was upsetting, however, he wasn't just promoted to Commander to make him an exempt, he was promoted to take over the Gang Unit, which he was supremely qualified to do.
Mike is not an outgoing gregarious type of person, but he knows what he is talking about, and he does know gangs in Chicago.
The Irish are running it with Fat Fhil.
Matt Rodriguez was a LAPA guy, he never promoted another LAPA guy from a p.o. status to an exempt spot.
The Irish ran it, then the blacks, it is time for the hispanics to run it, and it will be with some class. Not liket the f#$%ing HDO, what a joke
I vote for Huberman to be the next Supt. Cronin will not get shit if Ron is there... lol
Only the Irish can get away with making a p.o. an exempt! If the brotha's did it, it would be all hell.
Aint that right, red?
CRONIN = CRONYISM, AND WEBSTER'S DEFINES IT AS:
One entry found for cronyism.
Main Entry: cro·ny·ism
: partiality to cronies especially as evidenced in the appointment of political hangers-on to office without regard to their qualifications.
you think that' sjust a coincidence?????
The only reason people are staying in narcotics is to see what happens when he retires,if it will get better.He has been a disaster for the narcotic unit.If he comes back they will bail out of there.There is more freedom in patrol than they have down there.Big brother is watching.
Cronin was a whiny little prick. Half of the stuff that people claim he did are not true. Rode the coattails of many fine officers and got credit for it because the shitheads did not know the names of the other cops that were actually there doing the work. Cronin had a knack at showing up to things when it was something he would be interested in, but G*d forbid it was the other way around. That ass thinks he owns the rights to talk to anybody he wants whenever he wants and if you are talking to that person that prick will go and say something to your supervisor to get you off of "his guy". Cronin is a bum. Glad to see him gone.
To: 02:07:50
Maybe the reason you never saw Mike at 26 th St, is because you probably never got above the 1st floor preliminary rooms. He was a hell of a gang cop, and I agree with the previous poster, The west side gang bangers didn't want him to even know there names. And you want to know names? Start with Carmen Tate, Eddie Richardson etc. The names go on and on. I had the pleasure of working with him after the merger of NAG and SOS back in 1981. A great cop and I hope he lives for many years enjoying his property out west. Mike you were one of the best!!!
Cronin devoted 36 years of his life to this job, because that was his choice. I'm sorry that he has no wife, girlfriend, children or family, but he chose his lifestyle. So if he dedicated his life to this department, he should have been good at what he does - he had lots of time.
But what does that say for the copper who does have a wife and children to care for and financially support and worry about, a house to remodel that he can't afford, two or three side jobs, night college classes cause he's forced to, family functions or activities he has to miss. All the while trying to keep peace in the family and pretending to be happy, while working extra hard in his unit (with overtime for free) trying to get recognized on his honest merits - and not playing the game of working the Department circuit of shaking hands and patting backs and going to parties to socialize and brag about yourself. Does that make him less motivated or less honorable, because he wants more to his honest life than to be used and humilitated by this crooked deceitful Department?
Back in the day, all gang crime specialist targeted and concentrated on specific individual gangs. That is why they were called specialist. You could call north, south, west, and speak with the specialist assigned to whatever gang you inquired about. GCS's had real-time valid information and were sincere in communicating and working with you regardless of rank. Cronin's past gang knowledge and work did not stand out and was absolutely no better than any other GCS. They were all experts of their assigned gangs, because they worked them for years and years. It was simply the way it was.
This administration's micromanagement shotgun theory style of 'the more police you share the information with the better the chance of catching the bad guy' is purely self serving. Coppers are stepping over each other, hitting the same locations, producing inaccurate intelligence, and creating a highly dangerous environment to work in. And Cronin inherited it from number one, but he added his own touch of arrogance, ignorance, stupidity, rudeness and ineffective sovereignty.
Even if he was one time revered, he is leaving after 36 years with being remembered as one of the most despised, nonsensical, unsuited, graceless NAGIS supervisors of all time. Not that it matters now, but local and federal police agencies that were forced to deal with Cronin have felt the same for the past 3 years. This day couldn't have come sooner. Good luck asshole.
YEAH STARKS IS A LEGIT BOSS WHO IS STREET SMART
don't know cronin or anything about him other than that is a crabby jagoff to other coppers. just as a side note someone mentioned eddie may mentored a lot of young guys never even thought of for promotion. the south side version of cronin retired very quietly last month as well, no parades, no write ups, nothing bobby skahill who worked in 002 and housing was in court every day knew everybody on the south side and what they did and were they laid their head. as an old a1/vc dick anytime i needed someone to look for an offender/witness etc. he was our go to guy. bosses used him for their own good never took care of him either. clout or lack of is a mother.
I ask this simple question. How many PO's have been forced off the job due to injuries received in the line of duty? I myself know of at least 2. Both of these officers would have loved to remain associated with the Department in any capacity. They didn't apply for disability, the Medical Section told them there were no functions available for them considering their injuries.
Now we have a situation were both Cronin and Joe Murphy will be hired back in civilian exempt positions. Cronin walks with a limp and Murphy is confined to a wheelchair. Chicago Irish clout politics at its best. PS: Murphy is a 19th ward powerhouse.
A friend of mine always quotes the verse from a Pink Floyd song: "All and all we're just another brick in the wall." I guess the walls at 35th Street will implode if these two members are allowed to leave. Just remember what the bosses are saying, there are no other members of this department capable of handling these two jobs. They are saying we are just a bunch of idiots. Memo to them: we know where the true idiots reside!!!
Good luck Mike, its been a pleasure.
Whoever said Cronin didn't go to 26th Street was never there. Bullshit he never cleared a case. What a pack of softballs get on this site! I was in Area 4 and the guy cleared more than his fair share. As far as clout-In case you forgot he gave up 1/2 of his leg in Nam when most of you (and me) were either smoking dope or still in diapers. You can hate the game of clout but not this player-he worked his whole career.
For what it is worth.
I worked with Sgt. T.W. who was the best street copper I had ever worked with.
About 6 years ago I asked him about Cronin and his response was that Cronin was the best on the job.
To the poster who can't believe the negative comments concerning Cronin, you better believe them!
Either you didn't know him, or never worked with him. A lot of his paperwork was done over by people more qualified to write them. He had NO personality.
Concerned with gangs? How about
OBSESSED? But I guess you can be that way when you've lived in your mother's home all your life, no wife, no kids, no sex life whatsoever. Hey, you may need 60 hrs. to be a Sgt., and a 4 yr. degree to be a Lt. and above, but as Cline has shown all of us, even a monkey can be trained to live the life of an EXEMPT. While I personally never cared for the man, I have to respect his 30+ yrs. of law enforcement, and wish him the best. Maybe he can actually cash the first paycheck he ever received from the CPD. I'm willing to bet the paper it's printed on is more valuable than the actual dollar amount it's made out for.
Fat Phil is no dummy and is very cunning. He was never a competent street cop but a paper guy who would leave a To-From whenever he took a shit.
Fat Phil was shrewd by surrounding himself with top street cops Cronin (albeit the negative comments), M.P. and E.Y.
I've known Mike since 1979, two years after I got on the job. Worked with him on and off for the last 29 years. Where ever I went (13, Gangs, A/4 Det Div, A/5 Det Div, A/3 Det Div)I had dealings with Mike. He truly is the real deal and I'm a better copper and person for having known and worked with him. Have a great retirement Mike. Don't let the bastards get you down.
-Rick Rybicki (Retired - and loving it!)
DON'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, JUST HAD A FEW DEALINGS WITH HIM. SOUNDS LIKE HE KNEW HIS STUFF AND WAS THE "REAL" POLICE, I DON'T DOUBT THAT. I DON'T RESPECT THE FACT THAT HE WENT FROM PO - EXEMPT HE GOT THAT BECAUSE OF WHO HE KNEW -NOT WHAT HE KNOWS. I DO AGREE HE SEEMS TO HAVE ZERO PERSONALITY AND ZERO MANAGEMENT SKILLS,SOMEONE WHO WAS GIVEN THE GOLDEN GOOSE ANS SET UP FOR HIS RETIREMENT AND POST RETIREMENT SHOULD BE DANCING IN THE STREETS, NOT LOOKING DOWN ON EVERYONE ELSE!
Cronin should have retired long ago. Never should have been exempt.Nothing but a political payback! Maybe a nice guy but that's it. Who elese w/a gimp leg was even able to get on the job,let alone anything else.
Rybicki, you were never a copper, let alone a better copper, you cowardly backstabbin standin at the desk answering the phone in the d unit supervisor. Apparently you're still stupid because signing your name to your comment only makes Cronin look worse if he liked you back. Go retire and stay off our blog.
Yes, he used the system to pad his retirement check every month, but so what! Cline looked out for his boy, I would do the same and if it were you, you would not be on this blog. You would be laughing all the way to the bank. He got paid 3 times his level of competency salary( a gang specialist), and will get that money for the rest of his life, for screwing up OCD. Yes I said it. It is fucked up. Tell the truth. They have incompetent Sergeants and Lieutenants. I heard 2 of them did not even pass the Lieutenants test, all of the Lieuetenants got promoted meritorioulsy. Look at NYPD and LAPD. Their Narcotics units do real narcotic investigations. So do the gang units. Why aren't we investigating the motorcycle gangs by the way? They traffick more drugs, and kill more people than these street punks. Can you get some bosses there that worked in narcotics or at least did a number of street level narcotic investigations, not just your boys that need to be taken care of. Also, Cronin is retiring with 7000 hours on the books, that he got while working mainly in OCD, but he won't let officers work to do a good investigation if it costs a penny of overtime. Cline's CU looks about the same and he got it the same way, OT. Ching ching. At retirement, they will be really getting paid.
To Anonymous 04:19:57 AM
You left out "Snake"
You shoulda seen Cronin's going away party @ Homan Sq.
What a bunch of phony ass lickers.
The Fed.s who hate him, showed up.
The other bosses showed 'cuz it's the right thing to do. They can't stand Cronie. They know it is all BS that a guy wasn't a Sgt., Lt., but made excempt. They know it's a slap in the face to all legit Supervisors. How about Lt. Keane, Farrell, Walsh, Sparkowski, etc.
They were in the front of the line for a bump and the Big guy did what he does..... passed the good ones over.
The only people at the going away lunch who wanted to be there were the guys from OCD that made meritorious, some by Cronie:
Recognize any:
RR GC
DS VD
OV KB
DB JW
LW SM
MM MM
KN KA
LS MG
GK
LAST NAME BEGINS W/ "B" THE FEMALE WHOMADE OUT OF INTELL. WHO WENT BACK TO NARC.
EC GONE BUT MADE SGT & LT
He killed the morale in narcotics. He was his own biggest fan. A legend in his own mind. Was under the impression that people wanted to hear his war stories. Nobody did. Seemed to take pride in intimidating supervisors. He was to narcotics what Dave Wannstedt was to the Bears. He succeeded in making 189 one of the most miserable units on the job.
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