Three candidates have been named for the next head of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). All have been with the department for years.
After a nationwide recruitment process, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) named the following candidates for the post: First Deputy Superintendent Antoinette Ursitti; Angel Novalez, head of the Community Policing division; and Chris Papaioannou, head of the counterterrorism bureau. “We believe we have identified three outstanding candidates, and each of them could lead the department in a thoughtful and competent manner,” said CCPSA President Remel Terry.
Chris Papaioannou has served in the Chicago police for 27 years. Before becoming head of the counterterrorism bureau, he spent four years as a deputy chief in various positions, and from May 2019 to January 2022 he commanded the 19th Police District.
Ursitti, who has worked at CPD for 26 years, was appointed first deputy superintendent just days before Larry Snelling announced his retirement. Before that, she spent three years as head of the investigative division and also served as deputy chief of training and as commander of the crisis intervention team.
Novalez has served in the Chicago police for 26 years and since 2024 has been head of the community policing division. Before that, he spent two years as head of the division for reform and constitutional policing. In 2023, he was also among the finalists for superintendent. Snelling was chosen then.
“The right superintendent can set the direction and shape the culture of the entire department, as well as bring about real change,” Terry said. Mayor Brandon Johnson has 30 days to make a decision: He can choose one of the finalists or reject all three and demand another recruitment process.
The mayor’s pick for police chief will have to be confirmed by the City Council. If Johnson were to choose Ursitti, she would become the first woman in history to lead CPD. She currently holds the second-highest position in the department, right after Acting Superintendent Fred Waller, and is responsible for the unit’s day-to-day operations. Waller took over as interim head of the police in July, after the previous superintendent, Larry Snelling, retired.
BK
Source: Polski.FM
