Police officers from the University of Chicago, not the Chicago City Police Department, as the school apparently requested, confronted protesters in person overnight.

CHICAGO (WLS) – Police officers from the University of Chicago, not the Chicago City Police Department, as the university had apparently requested, personally confronted the protesters overnight.

It is far from clear how this standoff developed.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson says it was the CPD that raised “operational concerns.” Chicago Police Department officials offered a much more basic explanation.

“We are always ready to help. If there is violence, if there is any type of vandalism or if someone needs help, we will intervene whenever absolutely necessary,” CPD Supt. Larry Snelling told the I-Team.

During our interview about security preparations for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Snelling spoke about growing concerns about campus protests and demonstrations in public places focused on the war between Israel and Hamas.

“If you look at the way the U of C police handled it, they handled it without any issues. But the Chicago Police Department is on standby. It is private property. There is a police department for this campus. They had a plan. “As the Chicago Police Department, we are always on standby if assistance is needed,” said Snelling.

SEE ALSO | COPA is investigating complaints about arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters at the Art Institute of Chicago

It was a different story this weekend at the Art Institute of Chicago, the famous Michigan Avenue home to some of the world’s greatest art treasures.

Snelling explained to the I-Team why CPD was involved in breaking up the pro-Palestinian protest and arrested 68 people.

“They don’t have a police department. It is private property. And an ad was signed. So if we signed a trespassing notice, we now have a responsibility to make sure we go ahead and do the tasks that we’re assigned to do.” “What I need to do is to evict these people for trespassing,” Snelling said.

According to Johnson’s strongly worded statement, the U of C police had to act alone against the protesters. He said Chicago police have problems with the campus policing plan.

Johnson said bluntly that Chicago police were unwilling to participate in shutting down the protests. But Snelling didn’t say that in our interview, and his spokesman says he stands by his words.