Meet the Staff
Chief of Police
Anthony Cobb
Anthony Cobb is a native of Champaign-Urbana and has dedicated his 25+ years of law enforcement service to this community. Beginning his career in 1992 with the Urbana Police Department, Chief Cobb progressed through the ranks from police officer to the position of Assistant Chief of Police and was one of few officers who received an opportunity to work in all four divisions of the agency: Patrol; Investigations; Support Services; and Administration. In March of
Read More
Anthony Cobb is a native of Champaign-Urbana and has dedicated his 25+ years of law enforcement service to this community. Beginning his career in 1992 with the Urbana Police Department, Chief Cobb progressed through the ranks from police officer to the position of Assistant Chief of Police and was one of few officers who received an opportunity to work in all four divisions of the agency: Patrol; Investigations; Support Services; and Administration. In March of 2012, Cobb retired from the Urbana Police Department to accept his current appointment as Chief of Police for the City of Champaign.
Responsibilities for the Chief of Police include providing leadership and supervision to approximately 125 sworn and 22 civilian personnel in the areas of intelligence-led policing, patrol, traffic, criminal investigations, and a host of related activities and services. The Chief of Police assesses, monitors, and provides direction on all aspects of department resources and personnel consistent with City Manager and Council direction to maintain efficiency, and to provide a stable level of service to the community during routine periods and unexpected events.
In his role, Chief Cobb has worked diligently to increase community-police partnerships and serves on a number of community boards and committees in the furtherance of organizational goals and community partnerships, such as: Champaign County Community Coalition, Children’s Advocacy Center Board, Public Safety Advisory Committee (University of Illinois), Youth Assessment Center Advisory Board, Champaign County Emergency Planning Group, East Central Illinois Police Training Project Board, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Chief Cobb is a graduate of the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University.
Deputy Chief of Operational Support and Professional Standards
David Shaffer
David Shaffer began his law enforcement career in 1991 and has been with the Champaign Police Department since 1998. Shaffer has held several positions within the department, progressing through ranks to include patrol officer, member of a departmental proactive community policing team, an assignment as an Inspector with the Illinois State
Read More
David Shaffer began his law enforcement career in 1991 and has been with the Champaign Police Department since 1998. Shaffer has held several positions within the department, progressing through ranks to include patrol officer, member of a departmental proactive community policing team, an assignment as an Inspector with the Illinois State Police Drug Enforcement Unit (TFX), Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Investigations Lieutenant, before being promoted to his current position of Deputy Chief of Operational Support in November 2017.
The Deputy Chief of Operational Support and Professional Standards oversees the Operational Support Bureau, which consists of the Champaign Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and includes units such as the High-Tech Crimes Unit, Evidence Division, School Resource Officers, and the multi-jurisdictional Street Crimes Task Force. Deputy Chief Shaffer also oversees the Fiscal Administration office and the Office of Professional Standards, which is primarily responsible for facilitating the employee conduct and citizen complaint process as well as processing internal investigations. In addition, he assists with writing new policies and making policy revisions, maintains equipment inventory, and manages the Department’s Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) accreditation for departmental professionalism and consistency. Deputy Chief Shaffer also serves as a department representative on various community and City committees.
Deputy Chief of Operations
Tom Petrilli
Tom Petrilli began his law enforcement career in 2001 when he joined the Champaign Police Department. He has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Most of his career has been in the patrol division, where he served in various roles throughout the entire
Read More
Tom Petrilli began his law enforcement career in 2001 when he joined the Champaign Police Department. He has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Most of his career has been in the patrol division, where he served in various roles throughout the entire city. During his time in the patrol division, he was involved in several specialized units to include the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, Field Training Officer, and the Community Assistance Team. Once promoted to Sergeant in 2012 and Lieutenant in 2017, he oversaw the field training and evaluation program from 2012-17. Petrilli then served as the Patrol Division Administrative Lieutenant before being promoted as the Deputy Chief of Administration and Professional Standards.
Currently, he is the Deputy Chief of Operations. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the patrol division and the response to approximately 60,000 calls for service annually. The division is staffed with 75 officers, 13 sergeants, 3 Lieutenants, and 2 K9 officers. Officers work 10-hour shifts with four days on and three days off. DC Petrilli additionally oversees the Crisis Intervention Team, comprised of officers highly trained in communication skills to provide support on service calls. The members of CIT are utilized to de-escalate often tense situations, such as hostage negotiations, suicidal subjects, and other crisis situations, with the goal to seek compliance and a peaceful resolution.
Deputy Chief of Operational Support and Professional Standards
Matthew Henson
Matthew Henson began his law enforcement career in 1995. He joined the Champaign Police Department 2001 and has been serving the City of Champaign ever since. Henson has held several positions within the department, progressing through the ranks to include patrol officer, an assignment as a narcotics officer, Patrol Sergeant,
Read More
Matthew Henson began his law enforcement career in 1995. He joined the Champaign Police Department 2001 and has been serving the City of Champaign ever since. Henson has held several positions within the department, progressing through the ranks to include patrol officer, an assignment as a narcotics officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Investigations Lieutenant. He was promoted to his current position of Deputy Chief of Operational Support in February 2021. Henson obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University in 1994. He continued his education by attending the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, where he graduated from the 142nd Administrative Officers Course in November 2019.
The Deputy Chief of Operational Support and Professional Standards oversees the Operational Support Bureau, which consists of the Champaign Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and includes units such as the High-Tech Crimes Unit, Evidence Division, School Resource Officers, and the multi-jurisdictional Street Crimes Task Force. Henson also oversees the Fiscal Administration office and the Office of Professional Standards, which is primarily responsible for facilitating the employee conduct and citizen complaint process as well as processing internal investigations. In addition, he assists with writing new policies and making policy revisions, maintains equipment inventory, and manages the Department’s Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP) accreditation for departmental professionalism and consistency. Deputy Chief Henson serves as a department representative on several community and City committees.
Investigations Lieutenant
Geoff Coon
Geoff Coon oversees the daily operations of the Investigations Division.
Read More
Geoff Coon oversees the daily operations of the Investigations Division. The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for the review of all police reports and investigation of criminal crimes within the City of Champaign. The division is staffed with 12 Detectives, 3 Detective Sergeants, and 1 Lieutenant, who oversee approximately 1,500
Administrative Services Lieutenant
Kevin Olmstead
Kevin Olmstead oversees Administrative Services. The Administrative Services Lieutenant ensures
Read More
Kevin Olmstead oversees Administrative Services. The Administrative Services Lieutenant ensures the Patrol Division has available to them high-performing technology and proper resources needed to fulfill their duties. He also manages schedules, maintenance and various contracts.
Patrol Lieutenant
Greg Manzana
Gregory Manzana oversees the nighttime operations of the Patrol Division.
Read More
Gregory Manzana oversees the nighttime operations of the Patrol Division. The Patrol Division serves as the first responders to all calls for service, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This includes preliminary investigations, accident investigations, order maintenance, traffic enforcement, and other duties.
Professional Standards Lieutenant
Nathan Rath
Nathan Rath serves as the day-to-day administrator for the professional
Read More
Nathan Rath serves as the day-to-day administrator for the professional standards division. He’s responsible for employee conduct and the citizen complaint process as well as processing internal investigations.
Patrol Lieutenant
Aaron Lack
Aaron Lack oversees the daytime operations of the Patrol Division.
Read More
Aaron Lack oversees the daytime operations of the Patrol Division. The Patrol Division serves as the first responders to all calls for service, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This includes preliminary investigations, accident investigations, order maintenance, traffic enforcement, and other duties.
Assistant to the Chief for Community Services
Tom Yelich
Tom Yelich oversees the Community Services Division, which is responsible
Read More
Tom Yelich oversees the Community Services Division, which is responsible for media relations, community engagement and public outreach. Yelich serves as the department’s public information officer.