John Escalante named interim Chicago police chief

Deputy Chief John Escalante is seen speaking to neighborhood residents at Goudy Elementary School. (DNAinfo/Benjamin Woodard)

CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has named an interim police chief until a permanent replacement is found for the superintendent, which he fired Tuesday.

Chief of Detectives John Escalante will oversee the police department in the interim.

Emanuel praised the leadership of outgoing police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

But he called it an "undeniable fact" that the public's trust in the police has been eroded after a public outcry over the handling of the case of a black teenager shot 16 times by a white police officer.

Emanuel said, "Now is the time for fresh eyes and leadership."

The mayor wants the next chief to guard public safety while restoring trust between the community and the police.