Northbrook police honored at awards ceremony

Northbrook Police Chief Christopher Kennedy joined the department in April 2021 after 29 years with the Chicago Police Department.

In Chicago, he was a usual suspect - for earning awards.

Kennedy was acknowledged with more than 90 commendations and awards for such actions as search and rescue, lifesaving, and fitness.

As a recipient himself, or as a deputy chief overseeing counterterrorism and special operations, Kennedy valued those chances to salute officers excelling at their jobs.

"I definitely saw that as an important part of my police career, having the opportunity, really, to recognize officers and submit them for recognition. And I, obviously, was the recipient of a number of awards over my career, as well," he said.

Northbrook police over the years had recognized officers' accomplishments and milestones, and the village occasionally does so, as well. But Kennedy was looking at something of a grander scale.

A formal ceremony hadn't been held since 2016, he said.

"I wanted to make it a little bit more prestigious, something that had the opportunity for family to be involved, a little more of a ceremony," Kennedy said.

On April 27, the Northbrook Police Department Awards Ceremony was held at Marcello's Restaurant on Cherry Lane.

Kennedy expected about 50 people to show up. More than twice that number attended the ceremony, including Village President Kathryn Ciesla, Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, Deputy Village Manager Madeline Farrell, Communications Manager Nicholas Glenn and village trustees Bob Israel and Heather Ross.

Kennedy said he enjoyed seeing the honorees' parents, spouses and children.

"The highlight for me was just seeing the look in the eyes of their family members and kids," he said.

After the Cook County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard presented the colors, Glenbrook North High School senior Andrea Chacon-Ruiz sang the national anthem, which she also has at Spartans athletic events.

Invocations were offered by the Rev. Dan Brandt, director of the Chicago Police Chaplains' Ministry; and Imam Hazim Fazlic of the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago.

Northbrook Police Community Relations Supervisor Richard Rash announced the award recipients who had been determined by a seven-member committee. Rash began by acknowledging Deputy Chief Mike Metrick for 30 years of service.

Awards were distributed to officers for executing a variety of assignments, including lifesaving, narcotics, burglary, suicide prevention, dispatch, burglary and hostage situations.

"To me, especially in these tough times in policing, I think it's of the utmost importance to see the officers recognized for going above and beyond," said Kennedy, who went back years to include retired officers he felt might not have gotten a proper send-off.

Matt Morrison, deputy director of public works, received the "Chief's Special Service Award" for being "instrumental in helping us run our safety plans for major events," Kennedy said.

The chief is determined that this will be an annual event in Northbrook.

"At least as long as I'm here," Kennedy said. "It's important to me."