Chicagoans Share Priorities for Police Leadership

Two months have passed since former Police Superintendent Larry Snelling retired, leaving Chicago citizens to voice their views on the priorities for the upcoming police chief. Residents expressed a wide range of concerns and expectations for the new Chicago Police Department leader.

Community Expectations

During a public meeting, Sharon Pincham, president of the West Chesterfield Community Association, shared her community’s reliance on the police for varied issues, stating, “If there’s something going on in my community, something as minor as dogs who are traveling through the community, we don’t call the dog catcher — we call the police.” She highlighted the primary role of police in assessing and responding to community problems.

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) completed five listening sessions around the city to gather resident feedback. This input will contribute to forming questions for candidates who advance to the interview stage of selecting a new superintendent.

Chicago deserves a superintendent who understands the progress our city has made and is ready to build on it, emphasized CCPSA President Remel Terry.

Residents’ Feedback

In recent weeks, CCPSA members engaged with various community members, who stressed the need for thorough police officer training and adherence to the consent decree. Discussions included calls for a local leader and greater transparency regarding the Police Department’s relationships with other law enforcement agencies like ICE.

Participants in the sessions, such as Noelle Clennon from Indivisible Lincoln Square, advocated for prioritizing local safety over external law enforcement affiliations. Concerns around day-to-day policing issues disproportionately affecting crime-stricken areas were also prominent.

Selection Process and Challenges

CCPSA has a timeline to submit three finalists for the superintendent position by November 12 to Mayor Brandon Johnson. A search firm facilitates the process, with the commission expected to finalize its recommendations at its November meeting. During the last search in 2023, CCPSA received 54 applications.

Since Larry Snelling’s departure, Fred Waller has served as interim superintendent. The transition period saw internal tensions within CCPSA, leading to calls for procedural amendments. Despite these challenges, the sentiment among organizers and attendees focused on ensuring robust leadership to navigate existing city issues.

Meetings and Community Input

Organizers like the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression have vocalized their concerns about the commission’s internal decision-making processes, pointing to perceived corruption within the Police Department as a concentration point for CCPSA’s formation.

At a meeting held at Morgan Park High School, conflicting views emerged based on generational differences. Older attendees emphasized the need to retain seasoned officers in majority-Black districts, whereas younger participants focused on oversight and accountability.

Violence Trends and Solutions

Citywide violence metrics remain steady compared to the previous year, though disparities prevail across neighborhoods. Area 1, covering parts of the South Side, reported an increase in violence, affecting locations like the Back of the Yards neighborhood.

We need to get back to common sense and doing what we know works: to go after these magnets of violence in our neighborhood, suggested Ald. Raymond Lopez, advocating for proactive measures against gang activity.

The Police Department’s future leader faces the ongoing task of addressing both the sustained violence in certain areas and the broader citywide challenges.