Larry Snelling has the toughest job in Chicago
As CPD's likely next superintendent Larry Snelling must address several challenges
Pending a unanimous vote by the Chicago City Council, Larry Snelling, a 28-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department will be the department’s next superintendent. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his choice Sunday- 31 days after the commission that completed a nationwide search made its recommendation.
The announcement bordered on anti-climatic as rumors swirled as early as a week ago that Snelling would emerge from the field of two other candidates- Shon Barnes of Madison WI and Angel Novalez, also of the CPD.
Because of the dismal performances of his last three predecessors, Snelling will be scrutinized like a first-place science project. The news media and general public will be hyper-viglinant about unearthing any stories or information that will dispute all or any parts of the information initially presented by Johnson and the CPD. Speaking of Johnson, the mayor will have to quickly become accustomed that he is not the star of the show. Snelling’s light is likely to rise and shine brighter. The mayor has the obligation to Chicagoans not to try to hijack the attention and turn the spotlight on himself as he is so fond of doing.
Unfortunately, we are already seeing a fissure. Johnson is looking for Snelling to do a wholesale co-signing of the idea to universally use mental health professionals, and not CPD officers on 9-1-1 when someone involved is obviously mentally disturbed.
To his credit, Snelling explained during a news conference, when some situations call for the experience of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactical) teams and when non-police involvement was preferred. It is key Johnson always understands that he brings no law enforcement or mental health expertise. He must let the professionals operate as they see best, and not what fulfills campaign promises.
Despite the real and perceptual problems at CPD, Snelling has tremendous opportunities to redirect the department’s image citywide. Among his first moves, even before council confirmation, Snelling should start unexpectedly attending gatherings throughout Chicago. Whether it is a West Side teen talent show or an Auburn Gresham town hall, Snelling should be there.
Such appearances will give him a first-hand opportunity to hear what residents think about the CPD, and how the department can serve better neighborhood by neighborhood.
Once in office, Snelling should randomly select patrols he would like to do “ride-alongs” on. Again, this is something should happen citywide and be unannounced. Seeing the streets through the windshield of a patrol car certainly can be invaluable. The move would send a strong message to the rank-and-file that the new superintendent actually knows what’s going on.
Secondly, can you imagine the looks (and reaction) of some people loitering near a corner liquor store and Snelling pulls up, speaks with them and goes in the store to buy a pop? These kinds of exchanges with residents will prove invaluable to both sides.
Residents, especially our younger ones, will start to see the department differently when they can say they had a face-to-face with the city’s top cop and he listened to them. Moving from behind the desk and into the streets will do more for the department’s image than all of the plans the brass could develop in a year. Additionally, these kind of ongoing exchanges will help CPD check a box on the consent decree regarding community policing.
As Chicagoans we must keep in mind that the myriad problems the new superintendent must address, many are long-standing and will need a lot of time to address and correct. Because he has been part of the CPD for so long, others he should have a basis for how to correct them quickly. The first one I would think would be the inordinate amount of misconduct charges against the cops that cost the city tens of millions of dollars every month.
Snelling brings a reputation as a top-notch trainer so he should have some strategies to get cops to engage with citizens in a more respectable and non-violent manner. Many within the department may be tremendously opposed to it but the new superintendent most definitely needs to implement a system that reduces the inordinate amount of overtime the cops are registereing on a seemingly endless run.
Snelling is Johnson’s first major public-facing appointment and both men desperately need for this to be a win, or citizens will have little confidence about changes or improvements either of them tout.