# Mayor Johnson under fire for shrinking CPD

> Chicago mayor faces backlash over police cuts amid budget negotiations.
- Title: Mayor Johnson under fire for shrinking CPD · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago mayor faces backlash over police cuts amid budget negotiations. Mayor Brandon Johnson's city budget cuts 132 police positions while keeping police…
- Keywords: chicago, mayor brandon johnson, cpd, police academy, budget cuts, police vacancies, city council, police recruitment, news, local, Mayor, Johnson
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/10/28/brandon-johnson-chicago-police-department-cutbacks-fred-waller-budget-hearings
- Published: 2026-10-28T23:06:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicago, mayor brandon johnson, cpd, police academy, budget cuts, police vacancies, city council, police recruitment, news, local
## Mayor Johnson under fire
Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson accused Mayor Brandon Johnson of 'chopping away' at Chicago Police Department to balance pre-election budget after three years of shrinking CPD by attrition.

> chopping away
## Police academy year-round
Acting Police Superintendent Fred Waller negotiated with mayor's office to keep police academy operating year-round with 50 or more recruit classes.
## Budget cuts impact
Mayor's $17.6 billion budget freezes 368 police vacancies and replaces dozens of officers with civilians.
## Officer shortages
Last year CPD hired 539 officers and lost 397 to retirement; this year 407 hirings versus 363 retirements.
## Response times
South and West Side police districts show worst response time gaps amid higher violent crime rates.
## District concerns
North Side Ald. Timmy Knudsen reported 13 smashed windows on Clark Street businesses in one night.
## Burglary response
Chief of Detectives Kevin Bruno promised to track burglars using video, license plate readers and cell phone data.
## Officer allocation
North Side Ald. Timmy Knudsen noted fewer officers assigned to Near North and Town Hall Districts.
## ShotSpotter replacement
Police department officials refused to name ShotSpotter replacement after long bid process.
## Gun detection pilot
City launched gun detection technology pilot program but officials lack details on implementation.
## Budget hearing context
Acting Police Superintendent Fred Waller testified at City Council budget hearings about police academy negotiations.
## District response gaps
First Deputy Police Superintendent Antoinette Ursitti noted district-by-district response time analysis underway.
## Recruitment challenges
Waller stated police recruitment remains difficult due to officer shortages and attrition.
## Current officer count
CPD has 14,000 officers but lost 1,000 officers since 2024 due to attrition.
## Key takeaway

Mayor Brandon Johnson's city budget cuts 132 police positions while keeping police academy year-round to address officer shortages.