NEWARK — Garry McCarthy was named Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department today, ending his tenure of more than four years at the helm of the New Jersey's largest police department.

He leaves Newark with a reputation as a talented crime fighter who often struggled to connect with people he strived to protect, officials said today.

Chicago’s mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel has tapped McCarthy to lead the 13,500-member department, ending weeks of speculation McCarthy might be parting ways with Newark.

The news McCarthy was leaving his $170,000 post prompted law enforcement officials and city politicians to weigh in on his time as Police Director in the state’s largest city. And it sparked questions about who will take his place.

In the hours after Garry McCarthy was named Chicago’s Superintendent of Police, Newark city officials said two veteran police officers had emerged as candidates to replace McCarthy on an interim basis. The candidates, according to City Council President Donald Payne Jr. and two city officials, who requested anonymity, are:

Deputy Director Niles Wilson:

• 19 years with Newark Police

• Finalist for Newark Police Chief’s position in 2007

• Church pastor who also served as chief-of-staff to Anthony Campos

Deputy Chief Samuel Demaio

• 23 years with Newark Police

• Former Chief of Detectives, former head of ComStat Unit

• served as chief-of-staff for former chief Irving Bradley Jr.

Source: Star-Ledger Archives, Public Records.

Deputy Chief Samuel Demaio and Deputy Director Niles Wilson have emerged as two of the leading candidates for interim director, said City Council President Donald Payne Jr.. Demaio has been described as the "prime candidate," said two officials with knowledge of the department.

Mayor Cory Booker is expected to name an interim director Tuesday morning, but city officials said it was too early to discuss a permanent replacement.

Reflecting on McCarthy, West Ward Councilman Ron Rice Jr., said, "He put forth a great effort, a great four years with major faux pas and major missteps.

"The great things he was able to do with numbers are probably matched as far as the things he wasn’t able to do community-wise," he said, referring to the statistical successes of McCarthy’s career, such as decreases in violent crime over the last four years.

Booker, the man who hired McCarthy in 2006, was quick to praise him after Emanuel’s announcement, calling the 51-year-old director one of "the best police leaders in our nation."

"Over the years, through some very tough times, Garry has not only become a highly valued director on my team but also a friend," Booker said. "I celebrate his appointment and the opportunity before him."

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray described McCarthy as "a smart, quick-witted law enforcement professional" who was dedicated to Newark’s residents.

But those residents never warmed to McCarthy, according to Payne, who said the director — only the third out-of-towner to ever hold the post — failed to gain the trust of city residents.

"I don’t ever think he really got the support of the community that you need to be successful in this town," Payne said. "It was kind of a double-edged sword with him."

While lauding McCarthy for his law enforcement acumen, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura also said McCarthy struggled to build a rapport with community groups.

"I think Garry came here full of ideas, and most of the ideas were good. He worked well with those of us who have been here for a long time," Fontoura said. "If there was a weakness for Garry, it was his lack of connecting with the different groups in the community … He didn’t always respond well at community forums."

Deborah Jacobs, director of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Jersey, said the departure of McCarthy, who she described as resistant to change, could help speed up her agency’s calls for reform.

"The Newark Police Department remains in need of fundamental changes to ensure accountability," she said.

In Chicago, McCarthy said he was "incredibly honored" to be named superintendent, telling reporters he plans to attack Chicago’s violent crime rate.

"As the mayor-elect mentioned, the murder rate in this city is way too high, and we’re going to concentrate on reducing violence across the board, and not just murder rates," he said. "We’re going to reduce the fear of crime in this city at the same time."

Chicago, with a population of 2.7 million, had 435 homicides last year, according to the Chicago Tribune website. Newark, with roughly 277,000 people, suffered 85 homicides in 2010.

It remains unclear when McCarthy will begin his term as superintendent.

His departure comes during a critical time for Newark’s department as it tries to recover from last year’s massive police layoffs and crawl out from under accusations by the ACLU of rampant misconduct. McCarthy is also leaving before the city can implement "Operation Ceasefire," a nationally renowned anti-gang strategy he pushed for earlier this year.

Fontoura said the department will be able to successfully implement "Ceasefire" and handle other persistent problems if Booker chooses someone from within the department as interim director.

"You need somebody who can maintain continuity," Fontoura said.

Previous coverage:

• Chicago is set to name Newark police director Garry McCarthy its superintendent



• Newark police director McCarthy appears to be front-runner for to•p Chicago job

• Chicago names Newark police director finalist for city's police superintendent position

• Newark police director Garry McCarthy is one of three finalists for Chicago superintendent job

• Newark police director in the running for superintendent of police in Chicago, sources say