List of heads of the Chicago Police Department


The following is a list of heads of the Chicago Police Department.
Currently the executive of the Chicago Police Department is referred to as a "Superintendent of Police". Preceding titles included High Constable, City Marshall, General Superintendent of Police, Commissioner of Police.
The current head, holding the position of "Superintendent of Police", is David Brown, appointed by mayor Lori Lightfoot.

History of titles

The original head of police position, existent from 1835 through 1842, was referred to as "High Constable". The position was an elected one.
The second title used for the head of police was "City Marshall", which was used from 1842 through 1861. The position was an elected one. For a single year during this time, Chicago briefly had an appointed Chief of Police position that co-headed the department alongside the City Marshall.
The title used for the head of police from 1861 to 1927 was "General Superintendent of Police". The position was an appointed one. After the Board of Police Commissioners was legislated out of existence in 1875, the office of City Marshall was brought back to jointly serve as the head of the Chicago Police Department alongside the General Superintendent of Police. This time, the office was an appointed one. By vote of the City Council on May 31, 1876 the office of City Marshall was to be abolished. The office was consequentially eliminated June 5, 1876, with the position of General Superintendent of Police reinstated as the sole head of police. From this point on, the city has had only a singular head of police at a time.
From 1927 through 1960, the head of police was titled the Commissioner of Police.
In 1960, the head of police assumed its current title, Superintendent of Police.

List of heads of the Chicago Police Department