The Hammond Police Department has promoted Lt. William “Andy” Short to assistant chief, making him the first African-American to hold that high of a rank in the department’s 130-year history.
Short, who was previously a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Division, replaces Jeff Long, who returns to his former position as captain of the uniform division, Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. confirmed Tuesday. Long, in turn, replaces Lt. Roger Cardwell, who was moved to the narcotics division.
McDermott said Long made the decision to go back to the uniform division.
“He loved (being in uniform division) and asked to take over as captain again, so we granted his request,” McDermott said. “Then we promoted Andy, a 27-year veteran.”
Short was promoted to the second-highest position on the force despite the fact he lives in Merrillville, and McDermott has a long-standing policy of requiring his administrators to live in the city. McDermott acknowledged the residency issue said it was the first time he has ever gone back on the policy for such a high-ranking official.
With only roughly 25 percent to 30 percent of his police and fire departments actually living in the city, the number of those eligible for promotion becomes lower as time goes on, he said.
“It was addressed in (Short’s) interview, and it was strongly recommended that he move here, but we have officers who live outside the city. We can’t force people to move,” McDermott said. “He knows, however, that if or when (Police Chief John) Doughty retires and he has aspirations to be chief, he won’t be considered unless he moves here.”
McDermott said the reorganization was also made to better reflect the community but that the city “still needs to do better” in terms of promoting women candidates, for example.
“We’re consciously making an effort to have a department that reflects society better,” he said.
Short started with Hammond in 1988, first in the uniform division before getting promoted to detective in the department’s gangs and narcotics division in 1994, Doughty said in a release Tuesday. He has also served as a K-9 handler and detective assigned to regular duty in 1998.
“I have known Andy for 27 years,” Doughty said. “He is a trusted friend and an ethical man. We have worked together in patrol, K-9, the DEA HIDTA and most recently he was my internal affairs officer. I have every confidence that he will be a great Assistant Chief, working hard and leading by example. I also feel he will be a great ambassador within the community.”
Short was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and lieutenant in 2006 before getting assigned to Internal Affairs in 2009, according to Doughty.
Short didn’t return a call for comment.
Detective Sgt. Anthony Mosier, a 24-year veteran of the department most recently in the narcotics division, has been reassigned to Internal Affairs, according to Doughty’s release.
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Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter with the Post-Tribune.