A person watches as officers work the scene where five people were shot during a Father’s Day gathering in Wendell Smith Park on the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood on June 18, 2023.

A person watches as officers work the scene where five people were shot during a Father’s Day gathering in Wendell Smith Park on the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood on June 18, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Photos: Challenges CPD faced in 2023

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After a year of sweeping changes and more controversy, the CPD enters 2024 with a new permanent boss, Larry Snelling, facing a long to-do list. 2023 saw a mix of highs and lows. Homicide and nonfatal shooting totals fell, but robbery and carjacking caused an overall uptick in violence. Fostering stronger community relationships, reduce violent crime and shootings and maintaining officer wellness and morale are among the departments goals for the incoming year.

A person watches as officers work the scene where five people were shot during a Father’s Day gathering in Wendell Smith Park on the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood on June 18, 2023.

A person watches as officers work the scene where five people were shot during a Father’s Day gathering in Wendell Smith Park on the 9900 block of South Princeton Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood on June 18, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Then Chicago Police Department Chief of Counterterrorism Larry Snelling, who was nominated to become the next CPD Superintendent, meets with the public after answering questions at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen neighborhood on Sept. 7, 2023.

Then Chicago Police Department Chief of Counterterrorism Larry Snelling, who was nominated to become the next CPD Superintendent, meets with the public after answering questions at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen neighborhood on Sept. 7, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

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Ashley Jackson becomes emotional during the wake for her for son, 15 yr. old Swaysee Rankin, who was shot and killed on Labor Day, at the New Beginnings Church on Sept. 23, 2023.

Ashley Jackson becomes emotional during the wake for her for son, 15 yr. old Swaysee Rankin, who was shot and killed on Labor Day, at the New Beginnings Church on Sept. 23, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

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New Chicago police officer Talisa Ligon, right, hugs her sister, Shaurice Gause, after the Chicago Police Department graduation ceremony in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Nov. 14, 2023.

New Chicago police officer Talisa Ligon, right, hugs her sister, Shaurice Gause, after the Chicago Police Department graduation ceremony in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Nov. 14, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

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Debris and vehicles remain at a crime scene in a strip mall on Rte. 83 at Honeysuckle Rose Lane in Willowbrook, Ill., on June 19, 2023. Twenty-three people were shot there, one fatally, in the early hours of the previous day.

Debris and vehicles remain at a crime scene in a strip mall on Rte. 83 at Honeysuckle Rose Lane in Willowbrook, Ill., on June 19, 2023. Twenty-three people were shot there, one fatally, in the early hours of the previous day. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

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Then Interim Chicago police Superintendent Fred Waller is seen at Robert A. Black Magnet School in Chicago on June 7, 2023, during a birthday celebration for slain Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston, who was shot and killed as she returned home from work. Preston attended the school as a child and would be 25 years old.

Then Interim Chicago police Superintendent Fred Waller is seen at Robert A. Black Magnet School in Chicago on June 7, 2023, during a birthday celebration for slain Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston, who was shot and killed as she returned home from work. Preston attended the school as a child and would be 25 years old. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

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Ofelia Herrera, center left, and her daughter Marcelina, center right, lift candles as they mourn the death of her son, Salvador Herrera, during a vigil to call attention to his unsolved murder in the 700 block of South Loomis Street Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Chicago. Salvador Herrera was fatally shot on Oct. 15 on his way home from work when he intervened during a vehicle break-in. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Ofelia Herrera, center left, and her daughter Marcelina, center right, lift candles as they mourn the death of her son, Salvador Herrera, during a vigil to call attention to his unsolved murder in the 700 block of South Loomis Street Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Chicago. Salvador Herrera was fatally shot on Oct. 15 on his way home from work when he intervened during a vehicle break-in. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

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CPD Counterterrorism chief and future Police Superintendent, Larry Snelling comforts Carmen Cruz, who lost her son CPD Officer John Cruz to suicide, as she and family members attend the Fraternal Order of Police’s first of its kind ceremony on Sept. 1, 2023, to unveil a Suicide Memorial, honoring CPD officers who have recently died of suicide, during an outdoor ceremony outside the FOP.

CPD Counterterrorism chief and future Police Superintendent, Larry Snelling comforts Carmen Cruz, who lost her son CPD Officer John Cruz to suicide, as she and family members attend the Fraternal Order of Police’s first of its kind ceremony on Sept. 1, 2023, to unveil a Suicide Memorial, honoring CPD officers who have recently died of suicide, during an outdoor ceremony outside the FOP. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

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John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, arrives before a meeting of the City Council Committee on Workforce Development on ratifying the new police contract on Dec. 7, 2023, at Chicago City Hall.

John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, arrives before a meeting of the City Council Committee on Workforce Development on ratifying the new police contract on Dec. 7, 2023, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

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