The ceremony at the /*Police Academy*/ took place even as newspapers in /*Chicago*/ speculate that he may be headed back to his hometown to become the new police superintendent. Mayor-elect /*Rahm Emanuel*/, the former /*White House Chief of Staff*/, is looking for a new police commander.
Time and again over the years there has been speculation Ramsey would be tapped to run the department in Chicago, where his police career began over 40 years ago. So Action News asked the commissioner if, at age 62, he is homeward bound to close out a storied career.
"I have not been contacted by the administration. Certainly they're going to be looking for a police chief. I'm not actively seeking employment elsewhere," said Ramsey.
Ramsey says he grew up braving the brutal Chicago winters and could deal with them again if necessary. What if an offer does come to return to the city with big shoulders?
"I love Chicago. I've still got family in Chicago. So, would I at least listen? Probably so. But it would take an awful lot to make me leave Philadelphia," he said.
So Ramsey is not completely closing the door. But could he actually wear that Chicago-style police hat again? The hat some say makes police officers look more like cabbies than cops?
"There's nothing wrong with the checkerboard hat. See, I grew up with that. So I look at it a little differently," said Ramsey.
Inauguration Day for Chicago's new mayor is May 16. Clearly Emanuel would like to have his team in place by then, especially the police chief. So this Ramsey Watch could remain intense for several weeks to come.
