CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The chair of Chicago City Council's Black Caucus weighed in on Mayor Brandon Johnson's pick to lead the Chicago Police Department.
Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) called the appointment of CPD Counterterrorism Chief Larry Snelling a giant step toward progress for the city. She added that Snelling is the person to get CPD "up to par."
"Someone who has touched all levels, from local districts, to the academy, to investigations — he just has the experience," the caucus chairwoman told WBBM. "There is not a community that he has not touched or impacted in the city of Chicago."
Coleman called Snelling "a son of Chicago," a remark that echoed how Johnson described Snelling earlier this week. Snelling was raised in Englewood and joined CPD in 1992. He later became commander in that district and has experience as an academy instructor.
Before the City Council can vote on Snelling's appointment, a public hearing will be held by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA).
"We are committed to working with him to make our Chicago — not only black Chicago, but our Chicago — a better place to live, work, [and] to be the great city that we are," Coleman said.
The Black Caucus isn't alone in praising Snelling. John Catanzara, the president of Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police, described Snelling as "somebody who understands the men and women of this department what they need, what's important and [can] help boost morale."
Some, though, have criticized the selection process that led to Johnson's decision. Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd) said City Council was "missing" from the vetting process and called out a "lack of transparency" from the CCPSA.
Nonetheless, Tabares told WBBM that she looks forward to getting an opportunity to hear from and vote on Johnson's choice.
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