Alderman says 'right decision' to fire McCarthy

CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. says Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the "right decision" to fire Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

Emanuel announced McCarthy's firing Tuesday. It came amid an outcry about a video showing a white Chicago police officer fatally shooting a black teenager 16 times.

Brookins is among the first to offer reaction to McCarthy's firing. He says he appreciates Emanuel's "willingness to change course."

Activists and a number of aldermen, particularly members of the Chicago City Council's Black Caucus, have been calling for McCarthy's resignation for some time due to the city's crime rate and questions of department transparency.

Emanuel also announced a newly created Task Force on Police Accountability on Tuesday.