Town Hall Seeking Input For CPD Leader Set For Beverly Arts Center

CHICAGO — 19th Ward residents will have a chance to weigh in the process to select the next Chicago police superintendent Monday, May 22, at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the community forum running from 6 to 8 p.m. The forum is being hosted by Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) and the Beverly Area Planning Association.

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability has been conducting community forums as an essential part of the search for a new police superintendent. Chicagoans are invited and encouraged to share their views on the qualifications and qualities they’d like to see in Chicago’s next top cop. Those who can’t make the community forums are invited to leave feedback online.

In the past, the police board was charged in conducting a nationwide search, recruiting candidates, reviewing and screening applicants before recommending three finalists to the mayor. By ordinance, the newly formed Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will be leading the process to select the best candidate to lead the Chicago Police Department.

Chicagoans have voiced a preference for the next superintendent to be promoted from within the ranks of the police department. Ald. Matt O’Shea, whose 19th ward counts the largest number of police officers as residents, said he’d also like to see the next superintendent come from the ranks of the Chicago Police Department.

“I think it’s critically important that we have a superintendent that has served on the Chicago Police Department, who has walked these streets and someone the rank and file can look up to knowing that they also did the job,” O’Shea said. “I think it’s important to have someone who has a keen understanding of utilizing the consent decree, and understands the importance of building a bridge in some communities with law enforcement where there is clearly a lack of trust.”

The alderman said he was “comforted” knowing that Fred Waller, who retired in 2020 when he was CPD’s third ranking official, would be leading the police department in the interim status. Waller assumed the role Monday, when Mayor Brandon Johnson was inaugurated.

“He’s someone who has been such a strong leader,” O’Shea said. “The rank and file really look up to him. He’s someone who truly understands the needs in certain communities. I have all the respect in the world for him. I’m glad he’ll be at the helm for the next few months.”

The application period ended on May 7, with 53 candidates applying to the top cop position. Among the candidates, 32 candidates have current or former ties to CPD. Forty-two of the applicants are male, 24 are White, 22 Black and seven are Latino, WTTW reported.

The CCPSA has until July 14 to recommend three finalists to the mayor, who has 30 days to decide or ask for another slate to be submitted. The Chicago City Council will confirm the mayor’s choice.

Johnson has also stated that he’d like the next superintendent to be found among candidates with ties to the Chicago Police Department.