A new class of Chicago police officers joined the ranks Monday morning and their new boss left them with some advice.
“Always remember your why, always remember why you’re here,” CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling told the 241 graduates assembled in Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom.
“We have to have an understanding of community. We have to understand the people that we’re serving. We also have to understand that when we show up to a job, we see people on their worst days. This is why we need to have that level of compassion and courtesy,” Snelling added.
Several promotions were also celebrated Monday: one deputy chief, one captain, 17 lieutenants, 80 sergeants, 18 field training officers and 80 detectives.
“This is a department in reform,” Snelling said. “So when you have those rough days, when people are speaking ill of you, when people tell you that they don’t want you there, when people tell you they don’t like you, that they do hate you. Remember the job that you’re here for. Remember the victims and those people who have been victimized by crime.”
During his remarks, Mayor Brandon Johnson boasted that crime rates continue to decline in the city.
“As a result of our collaborative strategies and investments in our communities, as well as this data driven approach responding strategically to the violence in our communities,” Johnson said. “I’m proud to say that we have seen reductions of all major categories of crimes in this city continue to go down.”
“We are making progress, and we are doing it together. So I want to thank you for being on the front lines. This effort cannot be won without you,” Johnson added.
While most violent crime was down 18% last month, there were 38 murders citywide, an increase over last January, police said in a statement.
Last month, overall robberies were down 25% and robberies with a firearm dropped 35% compared to last January, according to recent police figures. Car thefts declined by 28% and burglaries dropped 7%.