Overview
- The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability voted Thursday to forward First Deputy Antoinette Ursitti and Chiefs Angel Novalez and Chris Papaioannou to Mayor Brandon Johnson, which starts a 30-day window for his selection.
- If Johnson selects a finalist, that person must win City Council approval to become superintendent and the mayor can instead reject the slate and request a new search.
- Antoinette Ursitti, a 26-year CPD veteran, would be the first woman to lead the department if confirmed and is noted for work in investigations, training and officer wellness.
- Chris Papaioannou’s record includes a seven-day suspension in 2021 after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability found he failed to report a 2020 use-of-force incident, a detail that drew at least one commissioner’s opposition during the vote.
- The commission’s nationwide search drew 46 applicants, used firm Ralph Andersen & Associates for recruitment and held eight public listening sessions, reflecting a civilian-led process set up after 2021 reforms to shape consent-decree compliance and local policing priorities.