Larry Snelling, the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, has assumed greater control over the department’s operations by diminishing the responsibilities of his first deputy, Yolanda Talley.
This change comes after Snelling recently took over oversight of key divisions such as the patrol, detective, and counterterrorism bureaus, transferring these duties from Talley, who has held the role since March after a prolonged vacancy.
The reasons behind this shift in responsibilities remain unclear, yet it reflects Snelling’s hands-on leadership style, which contrasts with the more delegative approaches of some previous superintendents.
In an official statement, a police spokesperson indicated that the reorganization aims to enhance internal operations and communication within the department.
Despite the changes, the spokesperson emphasized the ongoing importance of the First Deputy Superintendent role, noting that it would focus on the administrative needs of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and foster trust-building efforts within Chicago’s communities.
An updated organizational chart issued to CPD employees reveals Talley will still manage specific units, including the records division and the office of community policing.
However, her office has lost authority over critical areas such as the street deputy operations, special events section, prosecutorial strategies unit, and administrative support division.
Talley, notable for being the first Black woman to serve in this role, has been in the spotlight previously due to a controversial incident involving her personal vehicle during a drug bust.
In February 2022, while Talley was not present, her niece was caught in a police operation that saw heroin being thrown from her Lexus vehicle.
An investigation led by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg found no rules were broken by Talley.
In body camera footage from the incident, Talley’s niece even mentioned to officers that her aunt is likely in charge of the police department, implying a close relationship with the police hierarchy.
Following the incident, the officers who executed the arrest were shifted to desk duty without explanation, and Talley’s car was fetched to a police facility but was not formally impounded.
Before being appointed as Snelling’s first deputy, Talley overlooked two significant roles at the CPD: leading the internal affairs bureau and guiding recruitment.
Her extensive career includes serving as Area 1 deputy chief and commander of the Austin District.
At this time, she was not available to comment on the recent restructuring.
The reorganization in the Chicago Police Department is reminiscent of various leadership styles observed in past superintendents, where some took an active role in daily operations while others delegated authority to their first deputies.
Garry McCarthy, who led the department from 2011 to 2015, shared insights about his approach, stating that he could hardly understand how it was suggested that the first deputy ran the department.
Instead of distancing himself from day-to-day activities, McCarthy regarded his first deputies as partners and often patrolled the streets with them.
He expressed concern that when superintendents delegate their core responsibilities, it leads to systemic issues within the administration.
While McCarthy is not directly involved in the Chicago Police Department anymore, he remains observant of Snelling’s ongoing trajectory.
“His legacy is still being formed,” McCarthy remarked.
He recognized the dual nature of leadership, knowing the department could either achieve significant success or face extreme criticism based on the adopted strategies.
On the other hand, Charlie Beck, former interim Superintendent, chose to refrain from commenting on the changes within the department but communicated unwavering support for Snelling.
Referencing Snelling’s extensive experience, Beck stated that final judgment of Snelling’s decisions should be reserved until more is known about the outcomes of his reorganization.
He believes Snelling has a comprehensive plan for guiding the Chicago Police Department into the future and is committed to making decisions that will benefit the community and the force.
image source from：chicago
