Craig Rutz was once the rising star of the River Forest Police Department. Strong, fair minded, effective in the community, respected within the department, Rutz was pegged by most as a likely chief someday. He almost got there back in 1998 when he was named acting chief during one of the department’s multiple staffing changes.
Instead the internal politics of the department shifted, Rutz became a threat to those unexpectedly in ascendancy, and a long and very weird interregnum began. Rutz was relegated to minor duties, he was suspended, he was passed over for promotion and, eventually, he and two other veteran officers sued the department for age discrimination. That interminable suit was finally settled favorably toward the officers.
And last week Lt. Rutz was promoted to deputy police chief. It is like the long era of daffiness and pettiness within the department has finally closed. Craig Rutz is redeemed and the police department is set right.