Chief of Police

Village of La Grange

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.lagrangeil.gov

Email:

• hr@lagrangeil.gov

Application Deadline:

• 06/21/23

Salary:

• Hiring Range: $135,044 - $158,095 DOQ with excellent benefits

  Participation in a defined contribution plan available for qualifying individuals.

Sworn:

• 28

Population:

• 16,321

Position Details

The Village of La Grange (pop. 16,321) is seeking a motivated and upbeat professional to serve as Chief of Police.

La Grange is a vibrant community offering walkable and charming neighborhoods surrounding a bustling downtown that features dozens of diverse restaurants, numerous independent shops, and national retail tenants. Located at the crossroads of La Grange Road, Ogden Avenue, and the Metra BNSF line, over 50,000 vehicles, commuters, and pedestrians stream through downtown La Grange every day. The La Grange Police Department provides excellent service to the community and values continual improvement, including pursuing Tier 2 accreditation through ILEAP.

The new Chief of Police will be instrumental in leading significant projects that chart the course for the agency well into the future. The La Grange Police Department is a valued facet of the community. The department's high visibility provides an opportunity to preserve and promote community safety through quality service to residents, business owners, and visitors. The department enjoys strong support from elected and appointed officials. The next Chief of Police will have the opportunity to build upon recent successes in the development of the department's leadership team.

The department is comprised of 35 full-time employees, including 28 sworn officers and five civilian employees (two parking enforcement officers, two records specialists and a management analyst), as well as two part-time officers. There is a Deputy Chief, six Sergeants and 20 patrol officers in addition to the Police Chief. Police Officers are hired and promoted through the La Grange Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. The Commission oversees hiring and promotion of officers up to, but not including, the Deputy Police Chief and works collaboratively with the Chief. Patrol officers (who are on 8.25-hour shifts) are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires April 30, 2026.

Fire services are provided by the La Grange Fire Department, with public safety communications services provided by LTACC (Lyons Township Area Communications Center). The Police Department is a part of MCAT (Major Case Assistance Team) and other regional efforts. The Department oversees contractual crossing guard services for several elementary schools and a School Resource Officer serves as a resource to the Lyons Township High School North Campus.

The Police Chief is appointed by the President and Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Village Manager. The Chief reports to the Village Manager and serves on the Village's Management Team. The current Chief is retiring after 24 years with the department and has contributed tremendously to the Department's success. The next Chief will have a supportive, friendly relationship with the residents of the community and meet the expectation of having personal and professional integrity. The Department has a budget of $4,503,657 with support for training and equipment replacement. Department facilities include a shooting range.

Successful completion of physical exam, drug screening, stress test and background investigation is required.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and experiences:

• Effective personnel management and employee relations experience, with a record of supporting, developing, and mentoring police personnel through clear direction while holding them accountable for achieving objectives, understanding when and how to effectively coach performance.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining issues and labor contract administration.
• Familiarity with community policing principles.
• Strong organizational skills with enthusiasm to work in a small agency where work tasks can range from administerial to working on high-profile criminal cases.
• Successful experience in progressively responsible supervisory, administrative and managerial assignments in law enforcement. Ability to prioritize and delegate effectively, accountability for the qualify and effectiveness of overall department performance.
• Strong understanding of the demands and challenges facing law enforcement officials; demonstrated ability to support officers facing the physical and mental challenges of policing in an ever-changing environment.
• Ability to continue an active and visible relationship with partner and regional public safety networks and neighboring communities.
• Experience working in a team-oriented environment; comfort in partnering with colleagues sharing and collaborating on operational matters, with a balanced approach to problem solving.
• Experience in effective succession planning, including identifying and developing employees to fill key leadership positions and increasing the availability of experienced and capable employees that are prepared to take leadership roles as they become available.
• Ability to direct the preparation and presentation of the Police Department budget, an understanding government budgeting principals, including delivery of services in an effective, cost-conscious, manner. 

The La Grange Chief of Police will be expected to:

• Function at the highest ethical level and inspire the confidence of appointed and elected officials, department heads, subordinates and the general public.
• Model and promote the core values of customer service, teamwork, integrity, respect and trust with the goal of providing excellent services and programs to meet community and organizational needs.
• Engage and partner with the community, remaining innovative, strategic, collaborative, and positive, and highly visible in providing exceptional public safety service.
• Develop personnel to maximize their full potential in the completion of their duties and to create a meaningful work experience and career development path.
• Foster a culture where employees are empowered to act independently and responsibly in the performance of their duties.
• Lead efforts to further DEI initiatives and deepen a culture of community, care, and collaboration. Develop, implement, and assess related efforts in support of the department's overall efforts to serve the community.
• Attend night meetings, special events and work outside of standard office hours as assigned, and respond to emergencies as required. 

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in law enforcement or criminal justice with 10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience that includes 5 years command experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge skills and abilities. A masters or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Illinois or the ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Police Chief Certification through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is preferred. 

Interested candidates should apply online by June 21, 2023 with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least 5 professional references.

Send to the attention of Michelle Jin, HR Manager, at:

hr@lagrangeil.gov

First review of resumes will be June 7, 2023.

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