Chicago’s civilian oversight body, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, voted Thursday to present three finalists for the city’s top police position. The commission, created in 2021 to increase community input on policing, selected First Deputy Superintendent Antoinette Ursitti, Counterterrorism Bureau Chief Christopher Papaioannou and Chief of Community Policing Angel Novalez as the leading candidates to succeed former superintendent Larry Snelling.
Why These Candidates Matter
Commission President Remel Terry explained that the panel looked beyond resumes and tenure, focusing on each candidate’s approach to violent crime, officer leadership, accountability and community policing. “We also wanted to understand how they can strengthen community policing efforts and make sure Chicagoans feel both safe and respected in their interactions with police,” Terry said at the press conference.
Candidate Backgrounds
Antoinette Ursitti brings 26 years of service to the table. She was promoted to First Deputy Superintendent by former superintendent Snelling in June and previously served three years as Chief of Detectives, where she led initiatives to improve criminal investigations and victim support. Earlier in her career, Ursitti oversaw officer wellness, mental‑health programs and crisis response as Deputy Chief of Training and Support Group.
Christopher Papaioannou, a Chicago native with 27 years on the force, currently heads the Bureau of Counterterrorism. He was elevated to this role in April after serving as deputy chief of the bureau. Papaioannou also coordinated public‑safety operations as Deputy Incident Commander during the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The commission noted a 2021 suspension of seven days after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability found a reporting lapse during 2020 unrest, but emphasized his overall record of service.
Angel Novalez joined the department 26 years ago after a career in Puerto Rico. He is the current Chief of Community Policing, responsible for meeting consent‑decree requirements and fostering police‑resident relationships. Novalez previously served as Chief of Constitutional Policing and Reform for two years and before that as Deputy Chief of Community Policing. He was also a finalist in the 2023 superintendent search.
Next Steps
The commission’s vote was unanimous for Ursitti and Novalez; the only dissenting vote came from Commissioner Angelique Guzman, who expressed concerns about Papaioannou’s suitability given “the current times” and “things we have to get through under the federal administration.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson now has a 30‑day window to nominate one of the three finalists. The mayor’s choice must be confirmed by the City Council, or he may reject the entire list and request a new search, providing a written explanation as required by city ordinance.
Context of the Search
This is the commission’s second superintendent search. Forty‑six candidates applied this year, down from 53 in 2023. Over several months, the commission conducted two rounds of interviews, eight public forums and multiple listening sessions to gather input from Chicago residents.
Snelling announced his retirement in July after nearly three years as superintendent and 34 years of service with the department. The upcoming appointment will be the first time a woman could lead the Chicago Police Department if Ursitti is selected.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
