Veteran Cop Larry Snelling Named Chicago Police Superintendent

CHICAGO — A longtime Chicago Police Department officer with nearly three decades of experience within the agency has been tabbed as the city’s new police superintendent.

Larry Snelling, who had been serving as CPD’s Counterterrorism Chief, was selected for the role by Mayor Brandon Johnson on Sunday. Snelling, who has served with the department for the past 28 years, was introduced at a news conference on Monday.

“Chief Snelling is a proven leader who has the experience and the respect of his peers to help ensure the safety and well-being of city residents, and address the complex challenges we all face related to community safety," Johnson said in a statement on Sunday.

"I am confident that by working collaboratively with the superintendent and all vested stakeholders inside government and beyond, we can develop and implement comprehensive strategies that address the unique needs of each community and improve public safety throughout our city."

Snelling was chosen by Johnson after the longtime cop was selected as one of three finalists for the superintendent's role. Angel Novalez, the Chicago Police Department's chief of constitutional policing and reform, and Madison, Wis. Police Chief Shon Barnes were the other finalists.

The 54-year-old native of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood told reporters at a news conference on Monday that policing should not fall on the shoulders of CPD officers, but should be a shared responsibility with the communities the department serves.

“The Police Department and our community members are not two separate institutions, because they can’t be. We have to work together by listening and learning from each other,” Snelling said at the news conference. “I share the mayor’s vision of public safety being supported by the full force of government to address root causes of violence to keep our beautiful city safe. And I want to be clear about my belief in the mayor’s vision in the full force of government. We cannot do this alone as a police department.”

Snelling has served as the counterterrorism chief since 2022. Prior to that role, he previously served as Deputy Chief of Area 2, 7th District Commander, Sergeant of Training, and Sergeant of Patrol.

From 2001 to 2010, Snelling was an instructor for the department's training academy. Snelling was a lead trainer for field force training ahead of the 2012 Chicago NATO Summit, according to a news release issued by the city.

In a statement, Snelling said he considers the promotion to Police Superintendent as a responsibility he does not take lightly.

“In order to continue to make progress as a department, we must embrace innovation, continue to strengthen morale, and go further in strengthening bonds of trust between police and community,” Snelling said. “While I am humbled by this moment, I stand ready to lead and uphold Mayor Johnson's 'three Cs' of competence, compassion, and collaboration, and keep that vision at the forefront in addressing safety on every street, every block, and in every neighborhood."

If approved by the city council to take over as Police Superintendent, Snelling said his top three priorities are improving officer training and wellness, curbing violence in Chicago's neighborhoods, and improving community relations with local residents.

“One of the things that I will tell you is that what I believe that we’ve forgotten everywhere are the victims of crime, the trauma that those victims deal with," Snelling said on Monday. "We cannot forget about the victims.”