CHICAGO— In response to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling’s announcement today that he will be retiring, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the following statement:
“Superintendent Snelling has dedicated 34 years to serving the people of Chicago. We thank him for his unwavering commitment to the Chicago Police Department and wish him the best in his next chapter.
“Before joining the Chicago Police Department, Superintendent Snelling was shaped by this city, growing up on Chicago’s South Side.
A proud graduate of Englewood High School, he continued his education at DePaul University before joining the Chicago Police Department in 1992 as a patrol officer in Englewood, the very neighborhood that raised him.
Over the course of his career, he served as a sergeant, led Physical Skills and Operations Training at the Chicago Police Academy, served as Commander and Deputy Chief of Area 2, and ultimately rose to lead the department as superintendent.
He is a Chicagoan through and through, and his career reflects a lifelong commitment to serving the city he has always called home.
“We’re grateful for Superintendent Snelling’s dedicated leadership and the work we’ve accomplished together to advance a community safety strategy rooted in strong partnerships and deep community engagement across Chicago.
“Leadership may transition, but our commitment to building safe communities and serving our residents with care and compassion does not.
As we continue through the summer, the structures, coordination, and partnerships that drive our community safety efforts remain firmly in place.
Keeping Chicagoans safe remains our highest priority, and residents can be confident that the comprehensive summer safety plan already underway will continue without interruption.
“Interim Superintendent Fred Waller, another dedicated veteran of the Chicago Police Department, will lead the department during this transition as the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability begins the search process.
Interim Superintendent Waller will be supported by the department’s new First Deputy, Antoinette Ursitti.
As members of Superintendent Snelling’s leadership team, they have been instrumental in advancing the strategies that have delivered unprecedented public safety gains for the residents of this city.
Both Mayor Johnson and Superintendent Snelling have the utmost confidence in this leadership team moving forward.
“Together with our officers, community partners, and sister agencies, we’ll continue working every day to ensure Chicagoans and visitors alike can safely enjoy their neighborhoods, parks, festivals, and public spaces throughout the rest of the summer.”