But, in a hint of what could face Clack at his City Council confirmation hearing, Burris denounced the process that Dixon used to find a new chief as unfair. He declined to be specific. With Clack's appointment, the heads of both of the city's public safety agencies will be white. The city population is majority black.
Racial tensions have been percolating at the Fire Department for years, including about an all-white fire recruit class at the training academy four years ago. Since then, the department has made efforts to ensure that the recruit classes reflect the diversity of the city.
Last summer a firefighter was disciplined after complaints about a moose with an afro that was displayed at a firehouse. Later, the unions raised concerns that the top scorers on two recent promotion exams had cheated. The accused were black. An investigation by the Inspector General's Office confirmed that there was likely cheating and the test results were nullified.
In December a black firefighter reported finding a knotted rope, a drawing of a noose and a note that referenced the cheating scandal. The firefighter who reportedly found the noted later admitted writing it.
Clack also met yesterday with the department's two union chiefs, both of whom clashed openly with Goodwin. Both withheld judgment yesterday but expressed concern that Clack might have difficulty adjusting to the size and complexities of Baltimore's department.
"It might be a shock to him once he lives here," said Richard G. Schluderberg, president of Baltimore Fire Fighters Local 734. "It's kind of like, `You are not in Kansas anymore.'"
annie.linskey@baltsun.com
John Fritze and Gus G. Sentementes contributed to this article.
James S. Clack
Born:
Oct. 31, 1960
Hometown:
Born in Crookston, Minn.; raised near Fresno, Calif.
Education:
Bachelor's degree, Southwest Minnesota State University, 2004; pursuing a master's degree in pastoral administration
Professional:
Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department since 2006
Personal:
Married, three grown children
