Chicago Police Department Announces Staff Promotions

For Immediate Release                                           Contact: Office of News Affairs

May 18, 2026                                                                             (312) 745-6110

CHICAGO — Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Larry Snelling today announced new Command Staff promotions within the Bureau of Patrol and the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

Commander Lazaro Altamirano will serve as Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, Commander Melvin Branch will serve as the Deputy Chief of Area Two, Commander Arleseuia Watson will serve as a Street Deputy and Lieutenant Terence Forbes will serve as Commander of the 12th (Near West) District.

“These promotees have established themselves as dedicated police officers and supervisors who work tirelessly to keep our city safe,” said Superintendent Snelling. “They are leaders who care deeply about the safety of the communities they serve and their fellow officers. I am confident they will continue to excel in these new roles.”

Deputy Chief Altamirano, a 23-year member of the Department, most recently served as the Commander of the 10th (Ogden) District. Before becoming a Commander, he worked within the Bureau of Counterterrorism, which he will help lead. Deputy Chief Altamirano has extensive experience in the Bureau of Counterterrorism, including as a Lieutenant in the Narcotics Section. He was also a Sergeant in both the Intelligence Section and the Narcotics Division. As a Sergeant, he also worked on the Area North Gang Enforcement Team and as a Sector Sergeant and Mission Team Supervisor in the 15th (Austin) District. Deputy Chief Altamirano holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Northeastern University.

Deputy Chief Branch, a 26-year member of the Department, was most recently the Commander of the 3rd (Grand Crossing) District. Prior to his promotion to Commander, he served as a Lieutenant within the Bureau of Counterterrorism’s Gang Investigation Division. In this role, he oversaw numerous teams, including the Firearm Investigation Teams, the Gang Investigation Teams and Task Force Teams. Deputy Chief Branch was also a Sergeant in the Gang Investigation Division and supervised the Firearm Investigation Team, which conducts firearm investigations, firearm traces and FOID revocations. He also served as a Sergeant in the 6th (Gresham) District and as a Homicide Detective in the Area Two Detective Division. Deputy Chief Branch holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Grambling State University. He also attended the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston, MA.

Deputy Chief Watson, a 26-year member of the Department, was most recently the Commander of the Area One Detective Division. She was previously a Lieutenant in the Bureau of Internal Affairs, managing personnel assigned to confidential and general investigations. As a Sergeant, she was a supervisor in the Area One Detective Division, which she later led. She supervised detectives and investigations of violent crimes that included homicides, sexual assaults, aggravated batteries and domestic violence. She was also a Sergeant in the 3rd (Grand Crossing) District, where she worked with residents and community leaders to address concerns and emerging crime trends in the area. Deputy Chief Watson holds a master’s degree in business administration from St. Xavier University and a bachelor’s degree in community health from Northern Illinois University. She also attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Class 537.

Commander Forbes, a 30-year member of the Department, was most recently the Captain of the 19th (Town Hall) District. He has gained significant experience in the Bureau of Patrol, including coordinating security for large-scale events. Prior to his time as a Captain, he was a Tactical Lieutenant in the 16th (Jefferson Park) District and a Watch Operations Lieutenant in the 5th (Calumet) District. While a Sergeant, he was assigned to the Gang Investigation Division and the Gang Enforcement Division. He also worked in the 12th (Near West) District, which he will now command. Commander Forbes began his career at CPD in 1995 and was assigned to the 25th (Grand Central) District, where he worked as a beat officer and tactical team officer for nearly a decade. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University.

By David Loran Jr

A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.

Sources:

Chicago PD Press Release 05/18/2026

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