NORTHBROOK, IL — Marc Fainman was formally sworn in Tuesday night as Northbrook's 25th police chief, completing a transition that began after the retirement of former Chief John Ustich this summer.
Fainman took the oath of office during the Northbrook Village Board meeting before his wife, Sarah, pinned on his badge.
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Village Manager Cara Pavlicek noted that Fainman has spent more than 20 years with the Northbrook Police Department and has served at every rank within the organization.
"We are extremely excited for his service, and we know that that is a significant responsibility to lead the sworn and civilian members of the Northbrook Police Department," Pavlicek said.
Fainman succeeds Ustich, whose retirement took effect July 1 after three decades with the department. Fainman had been serving as interim chief during the village's internal selection process.
In remarks after taking the oath, Fainman reflected on beginning his career in the same Village Hall boardroom more than two decades ago.
"Standing here today is both an incredible honor and a humbling moment," Fainman said. "More than 20 years ago, I walked through the very same doors right behind me in this village hall boardroom and swore the same oath I just repeated as a brand new police officer with a lot to learn."
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Fainman, a Glenbrook North High School graduate who grew up in Northbrook, said leading the department carries added meaning because he is serving his hometown.
"I'm incredibly proud to be here before you as chief of our police department in my hometown," he said. "This community raised me, and now I have an opportunity to continue giving back to the police department, my friends, family, neighbors that I deeply cherish."
Fainman joined the department as a patrol officer in 2006 and later served as a tactical officer, detective, sergeant, patrol commander and deputy chief in both technical services and field operations.
Fainman said the demands of policing affect not only officers but their families, and he identified officer wellness as a priority for his tenure.
"Officer wellness and supporting police officers and their families will continue to be a high priority for me in my new role," he said.
He also praised the department's sworn and civilian employees, saying officers are frequently present during some of the most difficult moments in residents' lives.
"It is one of the great honors of my career to serve alongside them, and now to have the privilege of leading them," Fainman said.
Fainman also pointed to planning for Northbrook's future police facility as a major undertaking ahead.
"We are very excited to start planning the building of our new police department," he said, thanking village officials and residents for supporting construction of what he called a much-needed facility.
Fainman previously helped lead long-term planning for a future police facility, along with department initiatives involving body-worn cameras and officer training, according to the village.
He holds a master's degree in organizational leadership, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has completed executive leadership programs through Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety.
Village President Kathryn Ciesla congratulated Fainman and thanked his family for supporting his service.
"We promise to do our level best to keep them safe as he keeps all of us safe," Ciesla said.
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