Naperville names veteran cop as deputy police chief

A commander in Naperville Police Department's investigations division, Kathleen "Kathy" Anderson, has been named deputy chief.

Anderson began her career in Naperville as a patrol officer in 1993. She served as a field training officer and a youth investigator and has held the position of sergeant of the patrol, training, school resource, and youth investigations and social services units.

Most recently, she served as a commander in the patrol division as well as the investigation division's youth and community services unit.

"Kathy has proved herself time and again as a strong and competent leader with exceptional organizational and communication skills as well as a passion for mentoring, training and career development," Chief Robert Marshall said. "These attributes make her the ideal candidate for this position."

Anderson is the department's first female deputy chief, and she joins Deputy Chief Jason Arres in filling the role. Because of retirements and the departure of former Deputy Chief Brian Cunningham to become police chief in Woodridge, Marshall said Anderson is the fifth deputy chief he has promoted in six years.

"In any leadership role I've held, I have always been committed to teamwork, training and sound decision-making, and I promise to continue to work within those values as deputy chief," Anderson said in a news release. "I look forward to helping shape the future of this department while simultaneously honoring the traditions of its past and ensuring the continuation of its outstanding and groundbreaking work in the community."

Anderson has been instrumental in establishing and overseeing a Crisis Intervention Team as well as the enhancement of the field training program to provide a more valuable experience for new officers.

As a school resource unit sergeant, she established additional training for school safety and violence prevention, earning her the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Excellence in 2010.

"I'm confident she'll lead with a high level of integrity and openmindedness," Marshall said.

Since 2014, she has co-chaired the Naperville Public Safety St. Baldrick's Event, which has raised more than $1.3 million for pediatric cancer research.

She has been awarded two Citizens Appreciate Public Safety awards and one meritorious unit award, among other honors and recognition.

Anderson officially will assume the role of deputy chief within the next few weeks after Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico swears her in.