Making history ‘great honor’
32-year department veteran Short becomes Hammond’s first Black police chief
Thirty-two year Hammond Police veteran William (Andy) Short made history Friday when he became the city’s first African American police chief.
The honor comes just two months after Short was named the city’s first Black assistant police chief and in the wake of the resignation of Chief John Doughty, who has stepped down from the chief ’s position for personal reasons and has rejoined the department’s rank and file.
The announcement was met with resounding applause from the crowd gathered in the police department’s first floor foyer and the officers overlooking the proceedings from the second floor.
“It’s a big deal what we are doing. It is a historic day in our city,” Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said as he addressed a large crowd of residents, elected officials and police officers. McDermott called on those attending to keep their masks on and attempt to social distance as much as possible in the tight quarters.
Short said he welcomed the new responsibilities he will face as chief. He said he was first hired by Thomas McDermott Sr., when he was mayor.
“Now his son is appointing me as chief of the Hammond Police Department. It’s a great department. It’s my department,” Short said.
He said he was “speechless” at the honor of being the city’s first African American chief.
“It’s a great honor, an honor for everybody. I look forward to talking to everybody as I have done in the past,” Short said.
McDermott lauded the career of outgoing Chief Doughty, a lifelong Hammond resident who joined the force in 1983.
“Chief Doughty and his team of 205 officers are committed to providing its citizens with the safest living environment possible,” McDermott said. He said Doughty helped control the city’s crime rates while enforcing ethics and accountability. He helped institute the use of body cameras by officers and modify the
department’s Use of Force Policy. He also credited Doughty with elevating Short to his historic role as deputy police chief.
“You earned this. You got this because you are a great police officer,” McDermott said.
He encouraged Short, who will be third police chief to serve during his 17-year tenure as mayor, to continue the work that has been done and keep working to increase the diversity of the force. McDermott said the demographics in the force should represent the city’s demographics.
Short, who lives in Merrillville, has agreed to relocate to Hammond to comply with the city’s residency ordinance. McDermott said Short will have several months to comply.
The promotion from within made way for additional shifts in the department’s administration. Jeffrey Long, who has been with the force since 1989, was promoted to Deputy Chief. Long has held various roles in the department and previously served four years as deputy chief.
Robert Bunner, who joined the force in 1999 will take over as captain of the Patrol Division, the position currently held by Long.
Hammond resident Lesley Miller brought her son, Camden, 7, to the ceremony. Miller said she explained to her son the importance of the event and pulled him out of school for the day to bear witness. The Millers are African American.
Camden posed for a picture with the new chief following the ceremony.
“I think he’s a real hero,” he said. Short was elevated to chief in a week that saw some turmoil within the department. The city was considering disciplinary action against Hammond Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 51 President Michael Elkmann over social media comments he made Wednesday during the mob action in Washington, D.C.
Eikmann posted “Good job today, Antifa! America almost believed the costumes” to his personal social media account.
“While our Nation’s Capital is under attack, this is the post made by Hammond PD’s sitting FOP President?” McDermott wrote. “Police Officers are sworn to uphold the Constitution of United States. Throwing around baseless conspiracy theories, excusing a terrorist act on our Nation’s Capital, isn’t even close to abiding by that oath! It’s dumb and unpatriotic in fact.
“As a U.S. Navy Veteran, this infuriates me. As Mike’s boss, we will be following this violation of his oath of office up quickly.”
After the response to his comment was quick and unkind on McDermott’s post — and city administrators met Thursday morning — Elkmann, who didn’t return a request for comment, removed his post and issued an apology instead.
“I apologize for my post last night that clearly misrepresented my feelings for what is happening at the Capitol. It failed to clearly express my contempt for those who take part in intimidation and physical violence against others,” Elkmann wrote. “My sarcastic comment was based on early unsubstantiated claims that certain groups were masquerading as members of others to which they didn’t belong. It was in poor taste and done in jest at a time when everyone is concerned with the state of our nation,
“I wholeheartedly condemn ANY individuals or groups that cause violence and harm to persons or property. The treasonous violence which unfolded in the name of political discontent is an embarrassment to our nation.”
McDermott said later Thursday he was happy Elkmann “realized how wrong he was regarding his original post” and that “it takes a big person to apologize for the mistakes they make.” But Elkmann shouldn’t have made the comment in the first place, particularly when he represents a 205-member police department who may not necessarily share the same views, he said.
Short said if Elkmann has apologized, he will accept that. He said Elkman needs to continue that apology in his both his words and actions.
“Police will always be under a microscope,” Short said, adding officers need to be and do better.