Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety

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Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety

Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) is a Naperville community group that recognizes public safety personnel for their contributions to the City.

08/28/2026

Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is collecting nominations for the annual Naperville Fire Department recognition night in October! Please take a moment to nominate any Fire Department employee who has demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty and exhibited a genuine concern for the welfare and well-being of our community.

The George Winckler Award is a legacy award that honors the highest individual honors presented by CAPS. This award recognizes an individual whose service made a significant and lasting difference to their department and community. Nominations are being accepted for the George Winckler award to recognize an individual’s contributions throughout their career, including contributions made during this past year. The nomination does not need to be based up on an incident that occurred in the past year.

08/27/2026

Today, we welcomed new officers, celebrated promotions, and thanked a leader for a career of dedicated service to Naperville.

Choosing public safety means choosing to show up when someone is in need — often on their worst day. It takes courage, compassion, and commitment. And the job cannot be done alone.

Today we proudly swore in:

• Eleftheria Lolis
• Eric Sousanes
• Frank Ambrose
• Skyler Brdar
• Reyna Cortez

Congratulations to:

• Andrew Schroeder — Sergeant
• Jonathan Pope — Commander
• Richard Arsenault — Deputy Chief

Thank you for choosing Naperville and committing yourselves to serving our community. And to your families — thank you for sharing them with us. While you’re at home, they’re out protecting our community. We will always be grateful for your support and sacrifice.

We also said farewell to Deputy Chief Jason Zbrozek as he begins his retirement. Thank you, Jason, for your commitment and dedication to keeping Naperville safe. Your impact on our community has been immense.

Thank you to all who serve. We are grateful for you. 🇺🇸

Naperville Police Department

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Officer Konstantinos Mikalayenia on being sworn in as the newest member of the Naperville Police Department!

A graduate of Naperville North High School and a former officer with two other departments, Officer Mikalayenia has chosen to continue his service in the community he calls home.

Our officers meet people during some of life’s most difficult moments, and we’re grateful for their commitment to serving with professionalism and compassion.

Welcome home, Officer Mikalayenia, and welcome to the Naperville Police Department!

Scott Wehrli for Naperville

06/19/2026

We are honored to be a 2026 The Rotary Club of Naperville grant recipient! The grant will be used to help further the Cardiac Conscious Community program in Naperville. Organizations and businesses may partner with the CCC to have an AED placed in their business and receive CPR/AED training at a significantly reduced cost! For information on the program, please visit; https://www.napervillecaps.com/cardiac-conscious-community.html Naperville Fire Department

05/29/2026

Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is proud to recognize our Naperville Police Department K-9 Officers and their incredible partners — Dax, Apollo, Riggs, and Scout — for their extraordinary dedication, training, and service to our community.

The work of a K-9 team goes far beyond the normal duties of patrol. These officers are on call 24/7 and dedicate countless hours training, handling, and caring for their K-9 partners both on and off duty. These dogs are not simply pets — they are highly trained partners who must be prepared to respond in any weather, terrain, or circumstance at a moment’s notice.

Each K-9 team plays a critical role in protecting our community:

Officer Hammer and K-9 Dax helped recover a firearm that had been discarded after being used in an attempted murder connected to Naperville.

Officer Konow and K-9 Apollo conducted an extensive search in extreme heat, successfully locating a suspect who fled from a stolen vehicle and was hiding in dense brush.

Officer Susnis and K-9 Riggs have assisted in numerous narcotics investigations, including helping recover large quantities of illegal drugs and significant sums of cash connected to criminal activity.

05/28/2026

Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is proud to recognize Officer Peter Pogwizd as the recipient of the Pradel Award — an honor presented to an individual who embodies the heart, courage, and spirit of public service exemplified by the late Lieutenant and Mayor A. George Pradel.

Earlier this year, while off duty and driving home, Officer Pogwizd witnessed a vehicle leave the roadway, strike a tree, and catch fire after the driver suffered a medical emergency and lost consciousness. Without hesitation and at great personal risk, Officer Pogwizd ran toward the burning vehicle, opened the driver’s door, unbuckled the unconscious driver, and pulled him to safety.

His selfless actions, bravery, and unwavering commitment to helping others reflect the very best of the Naperville Police Department and the true meaning of servant leadership.

Congratulations Officer Pogwizd, and thank you for your extraordinary courage and service to our community.

05/26/2026

Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is proud to recognized Detective Marco Scalzetti for his outstanding investigative work and unwavering commitment to protecting the Naperville community.

While many people think of police work as responding to calls for service, Detective Scalzetti’s efforts highlight the critical role proactive policing plays in preventing crime and protecting vulnerable individuals before situations escalate.

Through numerous investigations into prostitution-related activity, Detective Scalzetti uncovered connections to far more serious crimes, including drug offenses, illegal fi****ms possession, outstanding warrants, organized criminal activity, and suspected human trafficking. Several investigations led to larger trafficking cases involving individuals accused of coercing and exploiting victims for financial gain.

His work not only disrupted dangerous criminal networks, but also helped identify and support victims who may otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Detective Scalzetti’s dedication, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of justice reflect the very best of the Naperville Police Department and its commitment to keeping our community safe.

Thank you, Detective Scalzetti, for your extraordinary service to Naperville.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety. Thank to all the men & women who keep our community safe.

Naperville Fire Department
Naperville Police Department

05/21/2026

Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is proud to recognized Officers James Kotowski, Brock Perry, Andrew Schroeder, and Ray Winkler for their outstanding vigilance, teamwork, and proactive policing during a downtown Naperville event last summer.

While assigned to monitor a large “Teen Takeover” gathering, members of the Strategic Response Unit identified an individual they recognized as a suspected illegal firearm supplier. Through careful observation and coordinated action, the officers confirmed the suspect was unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm during the crowded downtown event.

Their quick response led to the recovery of a stolen gun and the arrest of a prohibited offender facing multiple felony charges. Most importantly, their actions may have prevented a dangerous situation from escalating into violence in the heart of our community.

The professionalism, awareness, and teamwork displayed by Officers Kotowski, Perry, Schroeder, and Winkler reflect the very best of the Naperville Police Department’s commitment to public safety.

Thank you for your outstanding service and dedication to keeping Naperville safe.

05/20/2026

Naperville CAPS - Citizens Appreciate Public Safety is proud torecognized Officer Peter Pogwizd for his extraordinary bravery and selfless actions that saved a man’s life earlier this year.

While off duty and driving home on January 9, Officer Pogwizd witnessed a vehicle leave the roadway, strike a tree, and catch fire after the driver suffered a medical emergency and lost consciousness behind the wheel. Without hesitation, Officer Pogwizd ran toward the burning vehicle, putting his own safety at risk to help a stranger in need.

Finding the driver unconscious and surrounded by flames, Officer Pogwizd quickly unbuckled the driver’s seatbelt and pulled him to safety moments before the situation could have become even more tragic.

The driver, Mr. Forrest, later wrote: “Officer Pogwizd is a hero who runs towards danger … I was helpless in the car and without him, I would not be here today.”

Officer Pogwizd’s courage, quick thinking, and willingness to act without hesitation reflect the very best of the Naperville Police Department and the spirit of service that helps keep our community safe every day.

Thank you, Officer Pogwizd, for your heroic actions and dedication to others.

Address

1350/1380 Aurora Avenue
Naperville, IL
60540

Telephone

(630) 420-6111

Website

http://www.napervillecaps.com/

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