(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is trying to reassure alderpersons he is committed to the federally mandated Consent Decree, despite staff cuts.
Superintendent Larry Snelling spent much of a day-long budget hearing assuring alderpersons like the North Side’s Samantha Nugent, that cutting staff for the Office of Constitutional Policing won’t hamper progress on police reform. She was skeptical.
“I recognize that you guys are having to make really difficult positions. The feedback that I have gotten from my community and from others that I have spoken with is that, the Consent Decree is out North Star and we have to get out from under this court monitor and the way to do it is with constitutional policing,” the 39th ward alderperson said.
“So I think there is concern that we’re not putting enough resources into that.”
The City’s progress on the court ordered reforms has been slow, but Superintendent Snelling suggested the progress will continue.
He indicated there are some reforms he still disagrees with saying they are roadblocks to good policing.
“What we don't want to do in the Consent Decree is render ourselves helpless as police officers. So, that now when we are responding to situations in neighborhoods where we're trying to defend people from the most heinous of crimes that are being committed against them – that we set up roadblocks for ourselves.
“At the same time, I'm very sensitive and, and and mindful of some of the issues that we've had in the past that we need to correct as a police department. That's not lost on me.”
During a day-long budget hearing several alderpersons grilled Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. They are concerned that planned staffing cuts in the Department’s Office of Constitutional Policing will hamper the already slow progress in fulfilling the federally mandated Consent Decree on Police reform.
City Budget hearings continue next week, with the Council determined to find more revenue and cuts to eliminate a big property tax increase.
One suggestion is raising the city's liquor tax but those in the hospitality industry aren't on board. Chicago already has some of the highest taxes on distilled spirits.
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