Chicago’s Police Nominee Urges Collaboration from Community to Address Crime Crisis
In a recent forum held at the National Museum of Mexican Art, Larry Snelling, the nominee for Chicago’s top cop position, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the police and the community in tackling the city’s deep-rooted crime problems. Snelling, a 54-year-old counterterrorism chief who was chosen as the next superintendent by Mayor Brandon Johnson, expressed his commitment to the people of Chicago and the officers who serve them.
During the forum, Snelling stated, We can’t do this unless we do it together. I can’t help you if I don’t listen to you. He urged the community to get to know the police officers and encouraged the officers to get to know the community, emphasizing the need for a partnership approach to address the crime crisis.
When asked about his non-negotiables as chief of police, Snelling highlighted his integrity as one of them. He emphasized the importance of being able to sleep at night and look at oneself in the mirror. Snelling also prioritized the safety of the community and the well-being of his officers.
Accountability was another significant aspect discussed during the forum. Snelling acknowledged that there will always be individuals who dislike those in uniform but emphasized that he will hold any officer who engages in willful wrongdoing accountable. He stated that he will not let a few bad actors tarnish the reputation of the entire department, as there are many dedicated officers working hard to protect the community.
The use of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology and the mayor’s promise to end its use within the city became a topic of discussion. Snelling declined to take a position on the issue, stating that he will have a conversation with the mayor before making any decisions.
Snelling also addressed the need for a more diverse racial makeup of the police force. He expressed his commitment to making recruitment efforts more inclusive and encouraged the community’s help in attracting Black and Brown candidates.
The nomination of Snelling still needs approval from the City Council, which was initially scheduled for Friday morning but was postponed to a later date by Ald. Chris Taliaferro, the committee chairman. Taliaferro mentioned the desire for more separation between the council’s proceedings and the work of the commission.
In addition, the commission voted in favor of an order to end the city’s use of the controversial gang database, which has been plagued by errors and biases. The order mandates that any future collection of information on Chicago street gangs must be implemented with greater transparency, formalization, and accountability, as determined by the commission.
With Snelling’s nomination working towards restoring trust between citizens and police, driving down crime rates, and improving the department’s relationship with the community, Chicago looks towards a new era under the leadership of a commission-nominated police superintendent.
