Chief of Police - Village of Lindenhurst, Illinois

Lindenhurst, IL (Population 14,406) is seeking an adaptable and experienced law enforcement professional to serve as their next Chief of Police. The Village desires a forward-thinking leader with a demonstrated commitment to community-oriented policing. The next Chief must have a track record of implementing modern policing strategies and a stellar reputation for being open-minded, respectful of different viewpoints, and collaborative. This search seeks to attract a candidate who has a deep commitment to community partnerships, who will prioritize transparency, and who will base decisions on qualified data and research. The Chief of Police plays an instrumental role in the quality of life for residents in and around the Village of Lindenhurst with emphasis on community engagement and enforcement of the laws and ordinances. The incumbent is retiring with 30 years of police service, the last ten years as Chief of Police. 

Located 50 miles north of Chicago and just south of the Wisconsin border, Lindenhurst is a family-oriented community with beautiful neighborhoods, high quality schools and enjoys an excellent park system offering a variety of recreational options. The Village is 4.53 square miles and situated in Lake County. Lindenhurst has a track record of being a leader in innovation and has been the beneficiary of a high performing government operation utilizing a forward-thinking approach.           

A non-home rule community, the Village is governed by a President (Mayor), six Trustees and a Village Clerk, who are elected at large with four-year staggered terms. The Police Department strives to consistently seek and find ways to promote, preserve, and deliver a feeling of security, safety, and quality services to all members of the community. The department consists of 15 full-time sworn officers, including the Chief, one Commander, and four Sergeants. Additionally, the department has three part-time sworn officers, and one full-time Records Assistant. The Village contracts with a vendor to assist with code enforcement. Police officers are organized into one bargaining unit represented by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

With an eye to the future, the Village recognizes the importance of providing the Police Department with state-of-the-art facilities to support their critical mission of serving and protecting the community. The current Strategic Plan for the Village includes a goal to develop plans and construct a new municipal complex (“Village Center”) meeting the needs of improved municipal services and public safety and establishing a centralized location for commerce and community (combined Village Hall and Public Safety building). The next Chief of Police may have the unique opportunity to lead the planning, design, and construction of a brand - new police station.

The Chief of Police is appointed by the Mayor and Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Village Administrator. The Chief reports to and works with the Village Administrator and other personnel. The next Chief will be successful by supporting the Village’s ongoing public safety mission to provide vision, stewardship, and valued services, above and beyond the norm while fostering a vibrant community culture to preserve and protect the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

The successful candidates will: 

• Be an outstanding communicator with the ability to demonstrate adaptive leadership.
• Have a proven track record of implementing and sustaining Community Policing practices.
• Have knowledge of modern policing principles, practices, and theories, with particular attention to supervising police services and operations.
• Manage proactively, anticipate issues and trends, and deal effectively with the general public with specific knowledge of methods and techniques of public relations.
• Make themselves approachable and accessible to residents, business leaders, stakeholders, and employees.
• Be adept at combining hands-on management style with authentic leadership, and an ability to embrace strategic thinking beyond the walls of the police department.
• Foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation with police personnel and other department heads and staff members.
• Deftly leverage regional resources and partnerships to bolster the expertise of officers and enhance service delivery to residents.
• Apply a variety of management principles and practices that govern the supervision and deployment of personnel.
• Be a mentor and support professional development of police personnel.
• Embrace and implement innovative police practices and technologies.
• Be open minded and understand the needs of the Village and the region.
• Demonstrate sound financial acumen and a clear understanding of resources.
• Oversee the recruiting and selection process of staff members with a strategic emphasis on creating a diverse pool of candidates.

Candidates should also have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, as outlined below:

• 15 years of service in law enforcement, including five years of supervisory and/or administrative service experience in a full-time, paid police department.
• A bachelor’s degree is required, criminal justice or a related field ideal; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Leadership training such as the F.B.I. National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police, and/or similar programs is required.
• Certification by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board or eligibility for such certification.

The starting salary range for the position is $150,000 +/- DOQ. The Village of Lindenhurst also offers an excellent benefits package and a pension.

Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a resume, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references by December 31, 2024. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Marc Hornstein,  MGT Senior Consultant, at 847-380-3240, x178. The Village of Lindenhurst is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional supporting information will be available in a soon-to-be-published brochure.