The Chicago Police Department Superintendent Public Hearing is taking place at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The public hearing in Pilsen is the first for CPD Chief Snelling, who was nominated for superintendent.

Chicago City Council’s Police and Fire Committee rescheduled their vote on Chief Snelling’s appointment so that the candidate could field questions from the public.

The hearing is called to order. A roll call to establish a quorum is met. Approval of the minutes of the July meeting passes.

President of the CCPSA, Anthony Driver introduces new business. The CCPSA plans to introduce an order to eliminate CPD’s gang database. 95% of people on the gang database were people of color. Driver says his father was on the gang database despite never being involved in gangs.

Adoption of the amendment/order passes without objection. Next up is the town hall of CPD Chief Larry Snelling.

CCPSA Commissioner Driver says this hearing is the first of five. Each public speaker will be allowed two minutes to ask questions. The candidate will also receive questions from the commission.

Commission members are stating the reasons why Chief Snelling was their pick to head CPD. The Englewood native has been with the department for 28 years. They expect him to increase morale and clearance rates. Chief Snelling is the first candidate nominated by the CCPSA.

Chief Snelling gives a statement before fielding questions. He says the process was serious and made him a better candidate. Says he is humbled to be considered for the position of top cop.

Chief Snelling says that he is committed to the city and the officers of CPD. He wants cooperation between the department and the community to keep the city safe. He ends his statement and is ready to receive questions.

CCPSA Vice-President Gomez asks Chief Snelling if he will stand up to political pressure to right the wrongs of CPD in the past. Chief Snelling says that a true leader shouldn't be afraid of criticism.

Commissioner Loizon asks Chief Snelling what will be the strategy to bring down crime in the city. Chief Snelling says a factor in gang conflict in the city is driven by social media. He wants to use technology to come up with better solutions to crime & illegal guns.

Chief Snelling says that he will use more resources (officers) in high-crime areas. He says that the department has added 70 detectives to their ranks. Mayor Johnson has the goal of adding 200 detectives to help clearance rates.

Commissioner Terry asks Chief Snelling what would he need to be successful in his job. Chief Snelling says more money always helps but they will allocate money to the proper areas of the department to help bring crime down.

Commissioner Troncoso asked Chief Snelling how would he improve the process of reporting crime by citizens. Commissioner Troncoso says he knows someone who had a tough time reporting a car break-in and that incident broke trust.

Chief Snelling says that he will make it a point to the force to implore officers to address the concerns of citizens.

President Driver asked Chief Snelling what are his non-negotiables. Chief Snelling said his integrity and holding his officers accountable.

President Driver's last question to Chief Snelling is how going up on the southside prepared him for this position. He said his upbringing made him realize the community needs help to combat poverty, drug abuse, and lack of education.

Chief Snelling receives questions from the public. A member of the 2nd District Council says the police district won't give access to their roll call. Says a wall of defiance is up. Chief Snelling says that he will have a meeting with the District Councils to address concerns.

Another member of a District Council asks Chief Snelling to imagine a world without police & the carceral system. She said she wants true solutions to create a more peaceful society.