There is a new police superintendent in Chicago

The Chicago City Council on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Larry Snelling as the city's police superintendent, elevating the department's counterterrorism chief to lead a department grappling with a mix of crimes.

After the council approved Snelling by a 48-0 vote, City Clerk Anna Valencia swore him in and acting department head Fred Waller pinned the superintendent's star on his chest.

“Superintendent Snelling is a proven leader,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson, “who has the experience and respect of his peers to help ensure the safety and well-being of all city residents and address the complex challenges everyone faces.” we face in relation to the community. security."

Snelling said in a statement that it was “a tremendous honor to answer the call to serve my hometown and the people of Chicago as Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, and I thank the City Council for the overwhelming support.”

“To continue to progress as a department, we must embrace innovation and partnership, continue to build morale, and go further in strengthening bonds of trust between police and the community,” Snelling said.

In Chicago so far this year, motor vehicle thefts are up 86% citywide compared to the same period last year, thefts are up 24%, and thefts are up 8%. , while murders are down 11% and shootings are down 13%, according to the Chicago report . the Sun-Times reported .

Snelling succeeds David Brown, who in March announced who would resign the day after primary election for mayor of Chicago , in which crime was a central theme. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost that primary and Johnson won. the mayoral race in April.

Snelling grew up on the city's south side. He has a bachelor's degree in adult education from DePaul University and joined the department in 1992 as a patrol officer.

He has been head of the department's counterterrorism office since 2022.

Snelling was one of three finalists nominated by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The other two finalists were Shon Barnes, police chief of Madison, Wisconsin; and Ángel Novalez, head of surveillance and constitutional reform of the Chicago police.