Former Commander of Chicago Police Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, Tom Lamb, to Join Head of Security
At Head of Security, we are proud to announce that Tom Lamb, recently retired and former Police Commander with the Chicago Police Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, is set to join the Head of Security team as an Advisor, Board Member, and Senior Executive Security Management Consultant.
A Distiguished Career
With more than 30 years of decorated service in law enforcement, Tom Lamb brings an extraordinary level of operational expertise, crisis leadership, and public safety strategy to our organization. As a Commander, Tom led over 300 elite personnel across specialized units, including SWAT, Bomb Squad, Drone Operations, K9, Marine, Helicopter, and Mounted Patrol. His leadership extended to some of the most high-profile and complex events in recent history—from the 2024 Democratic National Convention to Lollapalooza, Chicago Marathon, NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and numerous presidential visits.
Throughout his distinguished career, Tom has been widely recognized for his ability to lead under pressure, coordinate across agencies, and implement large-scale security operations with precision and professionalism. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and holds an MBA from St. Xavier University. His long list of accolades includes over 350 departmental awards, such as the Superintendent’s Award of Valor, the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, and the 100 Club Award of Valor.
Career Highlights
Here is a list of accomplishments outlining Tom’s storied career with the Chicago Police Department:
- Former Police Commander, Chicago Police Department – Bureau of Counterterrorism
- 30+ years of leadership in law enforcement, public safety, and crisis response
- Led 300+ specialized personnel across SWAT, Bomb Squad, Drone, K9, Marine, Helicopter, Mounted, and Traffic units
- Directed operational planning for major events including:
- 2024 Democratic National Convention
- Lollapalooza
- Chicago Marathon
- NASCAR Chicago Street Race
- Presidential and dignitary visits
- Subject Matter Expert in critical incident response, threat risk assessments, counterterrorism, and interagency coordination
- Graduate, FBI National Academy (Quantico)
- MBA, St. Xavier University | BA, Business Management, North Central College
- 350+ awards and commendations, including:
- Superintendent’s Award of Valor
- Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
- 100 Club Award of Valor
- Strategic advisor and hands-on consultant in security planning and risk mitigation
At Head of Security, Tom will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic vision and expanding our consulting capabilities. His real-world experience and subject matter expertise in threat risk assessments, critical incident response, and counterterrorism planning will directly benefit our clients and help strengthen the safety and resilience of the communities and organizations we serve.
“It is an honor to welcome Tom to the Head of Security team,” said Kurt Cooper, Founder of Head of Security.
“His depth of knowledge, leadership under pressure, and unwavering commitment to public safety perfectly align with our mission. Having him on board is not just a milestone—it’s a major step forward in our pursuit of setting a new standard in security management consulting.”
Tom’s addition to our leadership team represents a powerful evolution of our capabilities, and we are excited to work alongside him as we continue to redefine what modern, proactive security looks like.
Congratulations on your retirement and welcome to the team, Commander Lamb!