Samuel Nolan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Nolan
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Nolan, c. 1979
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| Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (interim) | |
| In office April 25, 1979 or September 1, 1979 (sources differ) – January 1980 |
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| Mayor | Jane M. Byrne |
| Preceded by | Joseph DiLeonardi (interim) |
| Succeeded by | Richard J. Brzeczek |
| Personal details | |
| Died | September 30, 1997 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Spouse | Agnes M. Nolan Married in March 1938 |
| Children | 3 |
| Police career | |
| Department | Chicago Police Department |
| Years of service | 1945−1982 |
| Rank | Superintendent (appointed in 1979) |
Samuel W. Nolan (died September 30, 1997) was an American police officer. He worked for the Chicago Police Department. For a short time, from 1979 to 1980, he was the temporary leader, called the interim superintendent. Samuel Nolan was the first African American to ever lead the Chicago Police Department. Later, Fred Rice Jr. became the first African American to hold the job permanently in 1983.
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Samuel Nolan's Life and Career
Joining the Chicago Police Department
Samuel Nolan started his career with the Chicago Police Department in 1945. For three years, he worked as a police officer walking a beat. Then, for ten years, he was a detective investigating robberies.
In 1962, the police superintendent, Orlando Winfield Wilson, gave Nolan an important job. He made Nolan the head of the police department's human relations unit. This unit was created to handle problems related to different races, religions, or nationalities.
In 1965, Nolan took a break from the police department. He worked as a deputy director for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. This group worked to improve relationships between different community groups.
Rising Through the Ranks
In July 1967, James H. Conlisk Jr. became the new police superintendent. Just two days later, he appointed Nolan as deputy superintendent. This meant Nolan would lead a new group called the Community Services Division. Nolan left his job at the Chicago Commission on Human Relations to take on this new role. By taking this position, Samuel Nolan became the highest-ranking Black officer in the Chicago Police Department. In 1970, his title changed slightly to deputy superintendent for community relations.
In 1975, Nolan made history again. He was elected the first African American president of the Saint Jude Police League. This was a large group for Chicago Police Department members. It had 13,000 members, including police officers and other law enforcement staff. Nolan had been a member of this group for 25 years.
In 1977, after some unrest in Humboldt Park, Mayor Michael Anthony Bilandic asked Nolan for help. Nolan and another officer, Hugh Osborne, met with Latino community groups to represent the city. In July 1979, Mayor Jane M. Byrne created a new job called public safety commissioner. She chose Nolan to be the first person to hold this important role. This job made Nolan the second highest-paid city employee, right after the mayor herself.
Serving as Interim Superintendent
On April 25, 1979, or possibly September 1, 1979 (sources differ), Nolan was appointed interim superintendent of police. An "interim" leader is someone who takes charge temporarily until a permanent person is chosen. He took over after Joseph DiLeonardi, who was also a temporary superintendent, was removed by Mayor Jane Byrne.
Even before Nolan became interim superintendent, many people in the city's African American community wanted him to be the permanent police chief. They wanted him to be the first Black permanent superintendent. However, Mayor Byrne chose Richard J. Brzeczek, a white man, for the permanent position. Nolan's time as interim superintendent ended on January 11, 1980, when Richard J. Brzeczek was appointed.
Later Work and Community Service
After his time as interim superintendent, Samuel Nolan held several positions with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. In 1986, he became the chief of the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department. He also served as the director of investigations for the Illinois Attorney General.
Nolan was also involved in many community groups. He served on the boards of Loyola University Chicago, the Illinois Humane Society, and the Institute of Urban Life.
Later Life and Passing
In 1993, Samuel Nolan moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was married to Agnes M. Nolan. Samuel Nolan passed away at his home in South Carolina on September 30, 1997. He was 78 years old.
