In a unanimous vote, the Chicago City Council confirmed Chief Larry Snelling as the new Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Snelling, a former patrol officer who grew up in Englewood, has been with the department since 1992 and has risen through its ranks, according to City of Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his gratitude for the City Council's confirmation of Snelling, stating that the new superintendent has the experience, respect, and values needed for the job, as stated in City of Chicago report. In his statement, Snelling shared his vision for ensuring progress by embracing innovation and partnership in strengthening bonds of trust between the community and the Chicago Police Department.
Throughout Snelling's career, he has remained committed to community-based policing. He began his tenure as a patrol officer in Englewood before moving on to serve as a sergeant in Morgan Park. Snelling then returned to his home district, where he took on the role of watch operations lieutenant, later becoming the district commander and eventually deputy chief of Area 2, according to City of Chicago.
Snelling went on to play a critical role in the department's Bureau of Counterterrorism, where he was responsible for coordinating with multiple agencies to ensure the safety of the city during emergencies. Alongside his counterterrorism work, Snelling has been instrumental in redesigning the department's training model around national best practices and constitutional policing standards as stated in City of Chicago report.
Other public officials and community leaders have also expressed their support and confidence in Snelling's ability to lead the department during this crucial time. Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood hailed Snelling as "a pillar of the community" with an "unwavering commitment" toward compassionate community policing1. Anthony Driver, President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) praised Snelling for fostering valuable relationships within the department and with city residents, stating that he will help guide a community-oriented safety strategy, according to City of Chicago article.
