Chicago police, Secret Service discuss security plan for Democratic National Convention
Source: CBS News/Chicago
Updated on: March 7, 2024 / 10:38 AM EST
CHICAGO (CBS) -- City officials and the U.S. Secret Service discussed their security plan for this summer's Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday.
The Secret Service said the convention is a national security event, with President Joe Biden expected to be formally nominated for a second term – and they're still ironing out some details on how to keep Chicagoans and convention guests safe. Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Chicago police officers have been undergoing additional training to protect people's First Amendment right to protest.
"We're training them in what's called field force operations. … It's training to deal with large-scale protests," Snelling said. "That has to be rooted in First Amendment practices. The reason is that when our officers approach you, we have to have a clear understanding of what that First Amendment is, so that we don't infringe upon those rights."
The Chicago Police Department will handle protests outside the convention locations. Officials said officers will focus on constitutional policing while having a zero-tolerance policy for violence and vandalism. "Every single thing that we're doing right now is rooted in constitutional policing," said Snelling. "But we're also training our officers to respond when they see these levels of violence, when they see vandalism when they see physical attacks on others."
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chicago-police-secret-service-security-democratic-national-convention/
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