Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's new police superintendent pick, Larry Snelling, has been praised for his physical fitness, honored for his attendance and accused of misconduct over his 31-year career, according to a database of police misconduct complaints published by Invisible Institute.

Snelling has been suspended at least twice — for excessive force and associating with a felon — since joining the department in 1992.

An excessive use-of-force complaint filed against Snelling on May 12, 1994, that happened somewhere between two police stations, was sustained. Snelling received a two-day suspension when the investigation was concluded on November 2, 1996.

A year later, May 12, 1995, a complaint was filed against Snelling related to associating with a felon in the 5500 block of State Street. On Aug. 12, 1997, Snelling received a five-day suspension for "conduct unbecoming." No other records regarding the incident were available, according to Invisible Institute.

In all, Snelling, who will be charged with reforming the department under a federal consent decree, has faced 21 misconduct allegations during his career. He has been accused of bribery and corruption, personnel violations and making illegal searches, according to Invisible Institute.

Snelling has been accused of excessive use of force violations nine times, the database shows.

Seven excessive use of force allegations against Snelling were ruled "not sustained" — a classification that means an internal investigation did not find sufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation.

According to the Invisible Institute, Snelling faced the following excessive force complaints

On June 20, 1993, an excessive force allegation was filed against Snelling and another officer involving an off-duty incident in the 6600 block of Ashland. An investigation determined the allegation was "not sustained" against Snelling and "unfounded" against the second officer on November 13, 1993.

On Aug. 6, 1993, an excessive force allegation involving the use of a firearm off-duty in the 7000 block of Ada was filed against Snelling was ruled "not sustained" on Feb. 25, 1995.

On Feb. 17, 1995, an excessive force complaint was filed against Snelling and a detective related to an on-duty incident that resulted in injury in the 5800 Block of May Street. The complaint against the detective was ruled "unfounded," meaning the allegation was "not based on facts." The complaint against Snelling was found "not sustained" on July 19, 1995.

On June 13, 1995, an excessive use of force complaint involving an on-duty incident that resulted in injury in the 5800 block of Aberdeen was filed against Snelling. The complaint was ruled "not sustained" Sept. 29, 1995.

On March 20, 1996, an excessive use of force complaint involving an off-duty incident in the 5700 block of South Throop was filed against Snelling. The complaint was "not sustained" on Sept. 19, 1996.

On June 19, 1996, an excessive use of force complaint involving an injury during an on-duty incident in the 6900 block of Eggleston was filed against Snelling. The complaint was "not sustained" on Feb. 7, 1997.

On Nov. 3, 1996, an excessive use of force complaint involving an off-duty incident at 61st and King Drive was filed against Snelling. The complaint was found "not sustained" on Feb. 12, 1997.

On June 25, 2000, an excessive use of force complaint that alleged an unnecessary display of a weapon in the 12100 block of Front Street was filed against Snelling. The complaint was ruled "unfounded" on Feb. 1, 2001.

Snelling has also been the target of complaints alleging of bribery and illegal searches, including:

On July 15, 1997, a complaint accused Snelling of bribery and official corruption related to an incident in the 5700 block of South Aberdeen involving three other officers, who each were suspended five days for "operation/ personnel violations." The complaint against Snelling was "not sustained.”

On Feb. 20, 1993, Snelling was one of eight officers accused of making an illegal search in the 4200 block of South Michigan. The complaint was "not sustained.”

On Sept. 8, 1997, Snelling was one of 11 officers accused of making an illegal search in the 1500 block of 94th Street. The complaint was "not sustained" on March 3, 1998.