John Tarpey enters his 11th season with the Chicago Bears, and first as Senior Vice President of Security, in 2025.
Prior to being named Senior Vice President of Security in 2025, Tarpey spent the previous five years as Vice President of Security (2021-25) after joining the club in 2015 as Director of Safety and Security for the organization.
Tarpey works closely with President and CEO Kevin Warren, as well as the Executive Leadership Team and Football Operations, to best equip the organization with world-class security measures and protocols for the protection, enhancement and optimal operation of the organization.
In his role, Tarpey oversees all security operations involving the Chicago Bears and at Halas Hall. Tarpey's team is responsible for providing comprehensive security and safety services, supporting the day-to-day needs of the organization, including players and staff members from both football and business operations, as well as the club's facilities. Additionally, Tarpey's team provides strategic security and safety planning and operational logistics to protect the Chicago Bears.
A native of River Grove, Ill., Tarpey graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy and has 24 years of law enforcement experience to include stops as a detective with the Bensenville and Elmhurst Police Departments and the DuPage County Major Crimes Taskforce. Tarpey also worked as a Group Supervisor with the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, an undercover unit within the Illinois State Police.
Later in his police career, Tarpey was sworn in as a taskforce Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Field Division. While at the D.E.A., Tarpey handled cartel level narcotics and currency interdiction cases. Prior to coming to the Bears, Tarpey spent time managing private security and asset protection internationally.Tarpey also served as the Director of Security for Power Distributing LLC.
