Retired cop: Weis 'cut and run' after shooting

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis is a "coward" who "cut and run" last week when he should have responded to shots fired 45 seconds away, a retired police officer charged Monday.

More than 20 years ago, John Northen led a group of police sergeants who filed a federal lawsuit charging they were unfairly denied promotions as the result of a flawed lieutenants' exam.

Now, Northen has filed a complaint with the Independent Police Review Authority, forwarded to the inspector general's office, accusing Weis of "failing to take appropriate police action" during a news conference Friday in crime-ridden Englewood.

After 26 hours of violence that left 41 shot and four dead, Weis summoned reporters to the 6600 block of South Marshfield Ave.

As the Friday media event drew to a close, an aide tapped Weis on the shoulder to tell him about the nearby shooting. Apparently unaware of what he was about to be told, Weis told a television reporter asking follow-up questions that he's "gotta run."

Sources said Weis did not go to the scene because, by the time he verified that a shooting had taken place, it was already 10 minutes old, units had arrived and the scene had been secured.

Instead, Weis returned to police headquarters, where he picked up his gear and hit the streets for stops at three police districts.

According to witnesses, a man driving a car in the 6900 block of South Paulina was shot in the head by an attacker who fired into the car and fled on foot. Angry residents demanded to know why the gunman got away when police brass were so close to the scene.

Northen extended that criticism to Chicago's $310,000-a-year top cop.

"Jody Weis is a coward. I don't want to see a coward leading the men and women of the Chicago Police Department," he said.

"He should have responded to the scene and backed up his men. This guy went the other way. He cut and run. He's a disgrace."

Police Department spokesman Roderick Drew said he would "not dignify" Northen's "absurd" complaint with a response.

"Instead of talking about the real issues -- the recent string of violence across the city -- we're distracted with this absurd complaint," Drew said.

"The superintendent is out every week in the areas most affected by violence supporting the men and women of the department and strengthening the department's partnership with the community.

Photo: Richard A. Chapman, Sun-Times / Police Supt. Jody Weis leaves a Friday news conference in Englewood, near the scene of four shootings.