Eliot Ness (1903-1957), most widely known for his work as a United States Prohibition Bureau agent in Chicago, Illinois during the 1920s, served as the Safety Director of Cleveland, Ohio, from 1935-1942. Appointed by Republican Mayor Harold H. Burton to reform and modernize the troubled Police Department, Ness proved to be one of the most effective administrators in the city's history. Ness greatly reduced the endemic corruption in the Police Department by widespread personnel transfers and prosecutions. He introduced technical and procedural innovations, such as the use of police car radios and traffic engineering principles. Ness was retained as Safety Director by Democratic Mayor Frank Lausche. However, in 1942, Ness returned to Federal service. In 1947, Ness ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Mayoralty of Cleveland, and then retired to private business.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Eliot Ness
From the guide to the Eliot Ness Papers, 1928-1960, (Western Reserve Historical Society)