Peter Joseph Coolidge, a retired DuPage County Sheriff's Office deputy, is running as a Democrat for DuPage County Sheriff in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. He faces Republican Sean T. Noonan.
Coolidge said he wants to return the department to community policing and run the county jail "with absolute integrity," according to his campaign website. If elected, he would be the first Democrat elected to the office since 1839, according to the DuPage Policy Journal.
Candidate information
- Name: Peter Joseph Coolidge
- Party: Democratic
- Office sought: DuPage County Sheriff
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
Experience and public service
Coolidge retired from the DuPage County Sheriff's Office in February 2024 after 28 years of service. He served as a deputy sheriff from 1996 to 2024, working in all three bureaus: Corrections, Law Enforcement and Courthouse Administration, according to the DuPage Policy Journal.
On the issues
The following positions are based on Coolidge's responses on his campaign website.
Community policing and transparency
Coolidge said he would create a community advisory board made up of local residents to give input on department priorities and policies. He said he wants to transform the Sheriff's Office into a consistent, positive presence in every neighborhood by moving beyond reactive response and dedicating time to non-enforcement contacts that build rapport.
He also said he would set clear policies for releasing body camera footage when incidents occur.
Crisis intervention training
Coolidge said he would require mandatory Crisis Intervention Team training for every deputy. He described the program as intensive, specialized training focused on de-escalation and empathy, aimed at resolving difficult situations safely and reducing the need for force. The goal, Coolidge said, is connecting community members to the mental health help they need.
Jail health and mental health care
Coolidge said he would ensure the jail operates under medically sound protocols. That includes conducting immediate and comprehensive health and mental health assessments upon intake for every inmate, he said. He said inmates would have continuous access to professional medical treatment, counseling and mental health services while in custody.
Staff wellness and recruitment
Coolidge said chronic understaffing fuels burnout across the department. He said he would create staff wellness programs that address mental health proactively, offering confidential support and resources. He also said he would overhaul recruitment and retention practices by seeking candidates who reflect the community's values, providing competitive pay and creating a work environment aimed at reducing burnout.
Endorsements
Coolidge has been endorsed by IBEW Local 701, according to the DuPage Policy Journal.
The Naper Today candidate questionnaire was sent to Peter Joseph Coolidge's campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 12, 2026. The policy positions above are drawn from his public campaign website and public records.
