Reader: ‘Dear Chief Demitrous Cook’

Dear Chief Demitrous Cook:
Chief Cook, you served as Evanston’s Police Chief since January of 2019 and have dedicated more than 30 years of your law enforcement career to serving the residents of Evanston, including through positions with the Evanston Police Department and Northwestern University Police Department. Public safety requires building a strong partnership.

As a Neighborhood Aid or doing Neighborhood Watch, National Night Out, I felt a positive relationship between the community and police officers. I would like to thank you on behalf of Southeast Evanston Parents Association (SEPA) and myself for your great work in my hometown Evanston, which will always be my community.

This year, under great leadership, the department achieved federal Use of Force Certification from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and in 2020 worked with The Northwestern Neighborhood & Network Initiative to conduct an external review of its Use of Force Policy. Chief Cook, you began your law enforcement career in 1981 as a police supervisor with the Northwestern University Police Department, serving the Evanston and Chicago campuses.

In 1984, you joined the Evanston Police Department as a patrol officer, climbing the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Police in 2004, overseeing the department’s Support Services Division and later the Investigative Services Division.

In 2010, after being looked over for Chief here, which you were more than qualified for, you were hired as the Chief of Police for the Glenwood Police Department, where I heard you served well, which, knowing you, I didn’t expect anything less.

You returned to Evanston in 2019 as Police Chief. Chief Cook had so many residents excited. We knew you could do the job and do it well. See we did Leadership Evanston classes together where I got to see your compassion for the Evanston community – the City I love and will always call home.

Chief Cook, I hope that your retirement does not mean you will leave your Evanston family. They need your strong commitment and voice. City Manager Erika Storlie and the Evanston City Council members behind this forced retirement, all I can say is, “Shame on you. As summer comes, I hope you have a great plan in place because all eyes are on you.”

With appreciation and gratitude, I say, “Thank you, Chief Demitrous Cook, for a job well done. Enjoy your retirement and God’s blessings on the next leg of your journey.”

Sincerely Submitted,
Rev. Lucia A Norris
President/ Founder of SEPA