By Land, Sea, and Air:
Keeping Chicago Safe
From the sprawling Chicago River system to the powerful Lake Michigan, it’s no secret this city has a deep connection with its historical waterways.
We’ve already covered the evolution of Chicago transportation modes, from Mounted Units on horseback, to the first-ever cruisers patrolling the streets. Today, we’re focusing on the brave men and women who take to the water–and the skies–to help keep this city safe.
Every second counts. Every police officer knows this. That’s especially true for the Marine and Helicopter Divisions. Trying to identify a subject in a packed crowd is difficult enough. Racing against the clock to find a capsized vessel is an entirely different challenge.
Every member of the Chicago Police department plays a crucial role. Members of the Marine and Helicopter Units take on specialized duties, spanning from Search, Rescue, Recovery, Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security. Both units require detailed training in order to perform their duties–and as such, the selection process is intensive.
According to chicago.gov, applicants must undergo a comprehensive swimming test and complete 26 weeks of New Diver Training, among other qualifications–ensuring every selected candidate can perform to their utmost ability.
The Marine and Helicopter division faces an average of over 400,000 annual calls a year–and with Chicago having one of the busiest loch systems in the country, it’s not surprising to see why (NBC Chicago).
Lake Michigan rates the highest in drownings throughout all the Great Lakes–and with a combination of dense population and harsh winter conditions, the CPD needs to be prepared at a moment’s notice to leap into action.
That includes bursting through the ice and being submerged in frigid water to perform rescue missions. Once a driver is dropped in, the unit practices these missions to get acclimated to brutal temperatures and less than ideal scenarios (NBC Chicago).
With such a comprehensive system in place now, it’s hard to think of a time where the CPD didn’t have a presence on–and above–our waterways.
Yet it was only in 1910 when the city’s first-ever police patrol boats hit the water. And it would take a monumental disaster–and decades of planning–before a dedicated unit would take shape.
If you’ve lived in Chicago long enough, or are a marine history buff, you’ve likely heard the tragic tale of the S.S. Eastland. In total, the sinking claimed 800 lives, and would stay in the minds of the brave souls who helped rescue efforts that fateful day.
We’ve covered the tragedy in this article, as well as other unique activity up and down the Chicago River. If you’re curious about the history of our famed river, we encourage you to take a look–you may discover a piece of antiquity you weren’t aware of.
When Tragedy Strikes
John Thomas Duggan, 25th District police captain, helped bring the first ever helicopters into the CPD’s toolbox.
According to the Chicago Tribune, he was responsible for launching “Operation Falcon, using copters to oversee high-crime areas.” By 1967, these helicopters were taking to Chicago’s skies. Throughout his lengthy career, Duggan oversaw the marine unit and mounted unit (Chicago Tribune).
A lifeline for commerce and entertainment can also be a hotbed for criminal activity. Not all reports end in rescue–some begin with retrieving victims from the waterways, as shown in the photo below.
Every day, members of the Chicago Police Department embody the motto: “We Serve and Protect.” And everyday, we at the PO Network honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, like officer Kenneth Kaner. On June 19, 1970, Officer Kaner was slain in the line of duty. In 1982, the CPD named a vessel in his memory. (Chicago Police Memorial Foundation).
Do you have any information on…
- 25th District police captain John Thomas Duggan
- Police officer Kenneth Kaner
- The Chicago Police Department’s Marine and Helicopter units?
Send details and photos to pon@ponetwork.com. Together, let’s dig deeper into history.
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