CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin has selected Deputy Police Chief Keith Cross to take the reins of the city’s police department.
The veteran police professional will replace Police Chief Kristen Ziman, who is retiring Aug. 6.
“I was confident that I didn't need to do a national search because the next top cop for Aurora was already among the ranks of the Aurora Police Department,” Mayor Irvin said Wednesday in announcing his selection.
Cross, a graduate of East Aurora High School, joined the Aurora Police Department in 1994 and has served as deputy chief for the last 15 months.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, the Chief-elect said his top priority is police-community relationships.
“Now that we are coming on the other side of COVID, I anticipate that we’re going to be able to get out a little bit more and continue to build that trust and build those relationships with the people of our city,” he said.
Cross thanked Chief Ziman for preparing him for the new role and said he hopes to continue her work over the last 30 years.
“She leaves tremendously large shoes to fill,” said Cross. “Fortunately for me, I have big feet — size 14, to be exact.”
Mayor Irvin also named Police Cmdr. Matthew Thomas as the new Deputy Chief of Police, and brought Guillermo Trujillo out of retirement from the Aurora Police Department to serve as Deputy Mayor, following Chuck Nelson’s retirement in January.
“They know Aurora, they know our residents,” said Irvin. “They know what we need to do to take Aurora to the next level to be the safe city that we are now.”
Cross will need to be approved by the Aurora City Council before being sworn in next month.
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