CHICAGO (AP) — The head of the Chicago Police Department announced on Wednesday that he will retire after a short tenure leading the nation's second-largest police force.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling took the reins of the 12,000-officer department three years ago as it was dealing with a mixed bag of crime. He touted the need for innovation and increasing trust between police and the community, as well as finding ways to tamp down violent crime.
Murders and shootings, which are typically the focal points for crime in Chicago, have fluctuated over the last few years, but so far they are down this year by 32% and 41%, respectively, compared to 2023, according to the most recent department crime statistics.
“I am closing out this chapter of my life with a heart full of gratitude for every Chicagoan and every community partner who embraced me during my time at the Chicago Police Department,” he said in a statement, which did not say exactly what prompted his reason to retire.
The superintendent’s job is a notoriously difficult one, and many past heads of Chicago police have lasted only a few years amid pressure from interest groups, including the local police union.
Snelling led the department through a tumultuous period in which hundreds of National Guard troops were deployed to the city as part of President Donald Trump ’s immigration crackdown in various cities with Democratic leadership.
He was faced with maintaining public safety while also avoiding appearing to work hand-in-hand with federal immigration authorities — a stance that could erode community trust and ignite new protests.
In 2024, he helped prepare the nation's third-largest city for the Democratic National Convention in which then-Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the party’s nomination.
Officers underwent constitutional policing and de-escalation training and a smaller group of officers received specialized instruction on responding to civil unrest and riots.
He also led the department as it worked to comply with a court-monitored department overhaul plan, known as a consent decree, that was approved by a federal judge in 2019. The plan called for more community policing and expanded training on the use of force, among other things, in the wake of a U.S. Justice Department report that found deep-rooted civil rights abuses in Chicago’s force.
“We’re grateful for Superintendent Snelling’s dedicated leadership and the work we’ve accomplished together to advance a community safety strategy rooted in strong partnerships and deep community engagement across Chicago,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.
Snelling, who grew up on the city's South Side, joined the police department in 1992 as a patrol officer, the mayor said. He later served as the department’s counterterrorism chief.
In 2023, the City Council unanimously confirmed him as the city’s police superintendent.
Snelling will retire July 15. Fred Waller will serve as interim superintendent while the search for Snelling's replacement is carried out, Johnson said.
FILE - Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling watches a march to the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon,File)
SEATTLE (AP) — Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit and scored from the penalty spot deep into extra time to beat Senegal 3-2 on Wednesday in the biggest comeback of the World Cup so far.
Senegal held a 2-0 lead with just 5 minutes of regulation time remaining but late goals by Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans pushed the round of 32 match into extra time.
Tielemans completed Belgium’s comeback by converting a penalty in the 125th minute of the game – the latest goal in World Cup history.
“Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today. I’m very proud of that to be able to help the team to score goals and bring us over the line,” Tielemans said.
He was fouled with only seconds to go and with a penalty shootout looming, and the referee awarded the spot kick after a video review, ignoring protests from the Senegal team.
“I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. “I’d rather not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision.”
The win for Belgium marked the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a team trailed by two or more goals in the knockout round and advanced. Belgium also did so in a 3-2 victory over Japan in the round of 16 at the 2018 tournament.
“Senegal deserved to win," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. "But, I am happy it was us.”
Many of the key players from the Belgium team that finished in third place in Russia in 2018 were instrumental to Wednesday’s victory. Lukaku, who leads his nation in goals scored, came off the bench to get Belgium back into the match by scoring in the 86th minute, setting the scene for Tielemans to force extra time.
“It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game," Thiaw said. "We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that ... We must congratulate Belgium as they progress.”
Belgium is back in the round of 16 for the third time in four tournaments. The team reached the quarterfinals in 2014 and the semifinals in 2018 but failed to get out of the group stage four years ago in Qatar.
The Belgians will next face the United States on Monday in Seattle.
Senegal long appeared to be heading toward the round of 16. Habib Diarra scored in the first half and Ismaïla Sarr made it 2-0 at the start of the second. It was his fourth goal of the World Cup, and one of the most beautiful of the tournament. Sarr made a perfect first touch off his chest on a long ball from Moussa Niakhaté and then sent his shot past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois, who was playing in his fourth World Cup, then made three key saves to keep Senegal from increasing its lead.
Senegal defender Krépin Diatta said Belgium should not have been allowed to get back into the game.
“It shouldn’t have happened. You have to defend your box and you have to be the boss of your box," he said. "We suffered, but we have to go on. It’s a pity.”
Lukaku said Belgium showed character with its late comeback.
“This Senegal side is one of the best teams in the tournament,” he said. “Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we stepped up the intensity of our pressing, when we were there for the second ball, our team spirit shone through and we won the match.”
Senegal headed to the World Cup as the second-highest ranking team in Africa, behind Morocco. It won a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final on Jan. 18 against Morocco, but the result was overturned by the governing body of African soccer because Thiaw had temporarily pulled his players off the pitch.
Senegal advanced to the World Cup knockout phase as one of the best third-place finishers after losing to France and Norway and beating Iraq.
“It’s the best African nation. It’s as simple as that," Garcia said. "They showed that even against France, they dominated in the first half. They came out of a difficult group. I would have preferred not to play against them.”
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21) scores their first goal past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, and Belgium's Brandon Mechele, right, during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr (18) is congratulated after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr (18) scores their second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
