A Berwyn police lieutenant with more than 30 years on the force has taken over as the city’s first deputy police chief.
The council approved the creation of the position, effective immediately, by a 7-1 vote during its June 9 meeting. Moments later, the council approved, by the same margin, the appointment of Lt. Joseph Drury to fill the position.
Police Chief William Kushner said Drury had been with the city for more than 30 years but could not immediately discuss what duties Drury would fill within the department.
Alderman Marge Paul, 3rd Ward, cast the lone no votes against both creating the position and promoting Drury.
“I would’ve preferred if this communication had come from the chief himself,” Paul said. “I’m very concerned this is going to cause questions concerning command and control.”
Mayor Robert Lovero, who introduced both proposals, said Drury would remain at his current salary. Additional promotions will not immediately be carried out nor will an additional officer be hired, Lovero said.
Drury will be second-in-command under Kushner.
Lovero was on vacation and unavailable for comment early this week, but focused much of his mayoral campaign on a promise to crack down on crime. City Clerk Tom Pavlik, who ran as part of Lovero’s Democratic Citizens of Berwyn slate, said Drury’s appointment is a step in fulfilling that promise.
“He’s there to carry out and enforce those philosophical changes that (Lovero) wants to install,” Pavlik said. “He wants to take the police department in a new direction to be tough on crime and gangs, and he’s got Joe in there to get it done.”
Kushner is in his third year as chief with the Berwyn Police Department. He was hired in January 2006 by the City Council led by former mayor Michael O’Connor.
