Chicago Police Superintendent Search Moves Forward With Community Listening Sessions
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability is leading the search for Chicago's next police chief, with a deadline of Nov. 12 to name three finalists. The next public listening session is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10.
CHICAGO, Ill. — The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is continuing to lead the search for Chicago's next police superintendent, and the commission is opening the process up to residents through a series of public listening sessions.
Former Superintendent Larry Snelling retired in July, leaving a leadership vacancy at one of the largest police departments in the country. Under the rules that helped establish the CCPSA, the commission has 120 days, until Nov. 12, to select three candidates for the job. Mayor Brandon Johnson will then appoint a new superintendent from that group of three finalists.
The selection working group is being led by CCPSA President Remel Terry and South Side Commissioner Sandra Wortham.
Throughout the process, the CCPSA will hold community listening sessions in which both residents and police officials will have the chance to provide comments. Each commenter is allowed two minutes to speak.
Wortham said that public commenters are free to raise any topic, though she encouraged participants to consider two prompts: what qualities, characteristics, skills and experience the next superintendent should have, and which issues the new leader should prioritize. She also suggested that residents practice reading their comments with a timer so they are not cut off by the time limit.
The next listening session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, and will be available via Zoom. Written public comment can also be submitted by delivering it in person at a public meeting or by emailing it to CommunityCommissionPublicComment@cityofchicago.org.
Residents who are interested in taking a more direct role in local public safety governance can also look into running for a Police District Council seat, as upcoming elections approach.
The search comes at a time of continued scrutiny over police oversight in Chicago. The CCPSA is the civilian body created in part to give the public a greater voice in how the department is led and held accountable.