Naperville picks new deputy police chief

Naperville has a new deputy police chief.

Brian Cunningham has been named deputy police chief for the Investigations Division. He most recently served as commander of investigations.

“This is a significant part of my ongoing department restructuring that I have undertaken since being appointed chief of police,” Police Chief Robert Marshall said in a news release. “Brian Cunningham is definitely the right person for the job and will take a key role in moving the department forward.”

In his new role, Cunningham will be in charge of a division with 60 employees. This division investigates crimes ranging from narcotics to computer crimes.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to make an even greater difference in our Investigations Division,” Cunningham said in a statement. “My selection to the position of deputy chief is a tremendous honor. This division is critical in making sure Naperville remains a safe, secure community and brings those who have committed an offense to justice. I’m proud to serve in this capacity and thankful to all the members of the police department, city and community who have helped me succeed over the years. I know I will be counting on them in the future.”

Cunningham has held several positions since first joining the Naperville Police Department as a patrol officer in June 1986. He served as a patrol supervisor, special enforcement unit supervisor, major crimes unit supervisor and patrol commander, among other roles, before being named investigations commander in August 2012. He has also served as DuPage Major Crimes Task Force commander since 1999, developing and implementing county-wide protocols and handling numerous complex homicide investigations.

A founding member and current president of the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association, Cunningham is also part of the Illinois Crisis Negotiations Association. He is a Naperville Honor Guard member and also participates in the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society. He serves as a volunteer coach for baseball, basketball and track programs and is the recipient of several Naperville Police Department awards, including the Distinguished Service Award, VFW Officer of the Year (1999) and Pradel Award (2010). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Governors State University.