This browser does not support the Video element.
What happens next after Chicago's top cop retires?
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is retiring July 15, setting off a nationwide search for the city's next police leader. Here's what happens next.
CHICAGO - Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling will retire this month, triggering a national search for the city's next police leader just months before Chicago's mayoral election.
Chicago's top cop retires
What we know:
Snelling officially announced his retirement Wednesday, thanking Mayor Brandon Johnson for the opportunity to lead the Chicago Police Department and praising officers for their work during his tenure, including helping reduce violent crime across the city.
He also led the department through the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which many viewed as a successful security operation.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling announces retirement
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced his retirement Wednesday after 34 years of service in the department, the last two of which as the city's top cop.
Snelling's final day as superintendent is July 15.
Leadership transition
Mayor Johnson has named 34-year Chicago Police Department veteran Fred Waller as interim superintendent.
This is not Waller's first time leading the department on a temporary basis. He previously served as interim superintendent in 2023 after Johnson took office and the search for Snelling was underway.
Waller has previously said he is not interested in becoming the permanent superintendent and plans to serve only during the transition.
The search process
Finding Chicago's next police superintendent is expected to take months.
The city's Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will oversee a national search and review candidates. The commission will forward three finalists to the mayor.
The mayor will select a nominee, who must then be confirmed by the Chicago City Council before becoming the city's next permanent police superintendent.
Dig deeper:
The leadership change comes at a politically significant time.
Chicago is about seven months away from its next mayoral election, meaning the search for a permanent police superintendent will unfold as campaign season begins to intensify.
The next superintendent could become a major issue in the mayoral race, with public safety expected to remain a central topic for candidates.
What we don't know:
The city has not provided a timeline for completing the search, and Snelling has not shared what he plans to do after retiring.
The Source: The information in this story came from CPD Supt. Larry Snelling, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and previous FOX Chicago reporting.