Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger has appointed Jason Arres the interim chief of police of the Naperville Police Department. The appointment was made in advance of Chief Robert Marshall’s retirement on July 2, 2021, after 44 years with the City of Naperville.

Arres, who currently holds the position of deputy chief of the patrol division, will lead the Naperville Police Department’s approximately 275 employees and daily operations beginning July 2 while City officials embark upon a process to hire a new chief of police.

“I fully support the City Manager’s decision to appoint Deputy Chief Arres as interim chief of police,” said Mayor Steve Chirico. “He has demonstrated his strong character and significant value to the police department and the community time and again. I have no doubt we’ll be in good hands with the Naperville Police Department under his leadership.”

City officials have contracted with the public management consulting firm GovHR to conduct a nationwide search for applicants to join anticipated internal applicants for the job. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a series of panel interviews consisting of City leaders, elected officials, police/union representatives, and community members. The process is expected to take up to 16 weeks to complete.

“The City of Naperville has a strong reputation as a safe city with an outstanding police department. We owe it to our community to make sure we look at every qualified applicant to preserve this success,” said Krieger. “I have the utmost confidence in Deputy Chief Arres’ ability to step into this role and effectively lead the department while we go through that process.”

Arres began his career at the Naperville Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. He has served as an undercover detective for the Special Enforcement Unit, a detective in the Intelligence Unit, and a member of the Department’s Special Response Team. Arres has held the positions of patrol, K-9 and administrative sergeant as well as patrol and professional standards commander. He was promoted to deputy chief in January of 2017 and has led both the investigations and patrol divisions and overseen Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatch center.

“I am humbled and honored to be asked to lead the department during this transition from Chief Marshall’s leadership,” said Arres. “The men and women of the Naperville Police Department are well trained, committed, and well positioned to continue delivering excellent service to the community. Having worked for, and learned from, Chief Marshall for many years, I am confident I am up to the task of maintaining operations and helping this department continue to thrive after the Chief’s well-earned retirement.”

Arres holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command; and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations school.

“Deputy Chief Arres has the highest integrity, solid communication skills, and a clear understanding of the critical policing issues impacting our community,” said Marshall. “He also has the trust and respect of the men and women of the Naperville Police Department. With his leadership skills and his knowledge of both the City and the Department, Deputy Chief Arres is well positioned to lead NPD now and into the future.”