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
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 oversees the Operational Support Bureau, which consists of the Champaign Police Department’s Investigations Unit, High Tech Crimes Unit, Fiscal Administration Unit, and School Resource Officers. DC Shaffer also manages the pilot Property Crimes Unit, the multi-jurisdictional Street Crimes Task Force and serves as a department representative on various community and City committees.
Deputy Chief of Operations
Tod Myers
Tod Myers began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a part time officer in a small department in rural west central Illinois. He joined the Champaign Police Department in January 1993. Most of his career has been spent in the patrol division interacting with members of the community as
Read More
Tod Myers began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a part time officer in a small department in rural west central Illinois. He joined the Champaign Police Department in January 1993. Most of his career has been spent in the patrol division interacting with members of the community as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant. During his time in the patrol division he was involved in several specialized units to include Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Technician and the Crisis Negotiations Unit. Once promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and Lieutenant in 2012, he oversaw the Field Training Program and the Crisis Negotiations Unit. From 2016 to July 2019, Myers served as the Lieutenant and then Deputy Chief in the Office of Professional Standards before transitioning into his current role as the Deputy Chief of Operations.
The Deputy Chief of Operations is primarily responsible for managing the Patrol Division, consisting of 96 police officers, including Lieutenants and Sergeants who respond to approximately 70,000 calls for service per year. The Deputy Chief manages the following duties by overseeing the work done by command officers, consisting of the following units: Field Training Program, Special Traffic Details, Crime Scene Unit, and Canine Unit.
Deputy Chief of Administration and Professional Standards
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 and is currently assigned as the Deputy Chief of Administration and Professional Standards.
The Deputy Chief of Administration and Professional Standards 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.
Investigations Lieutenant
Matthew Henson
Matthew Henson oversees the daily operations of the Investigations Division.
Read More
Matthew Henson 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 investigations annually.
Patrol Lieutenant
Vacant
The daytime patrol lieutenant oversees the daytime operation of the
Read More
The daytime patrol lieutenant oversees the daytime operation 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.
Patrol Lieutenant
Mark Vogelzang
Mark Vogelzang oversees the nighttime operation of the Patrol Division.
Read More
Mark Vogelzang oversees the nighttime operation 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
Kevin Olmstead
Kevin Olmstead serves as the day-to-day administrator for the professional
Read More
Kevin Olmstead 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.
Administrative Services Lieutenant
Nathan Rath
Nathan Rath serves as the Administrative Services Lieutenant and ensures
Read More
Nathan Rath serves as the Administrative Services Lieutenant and 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.
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.