Village of Northbrook, IL - CHIEF OF POLICE

Northbrook, Illinois (Resident population – 35,000; daytime population 100,000) – This highly regarded, civic minded community is just 25 miles from downtown Chicago.  With excellent access to transportation resources, Northbrook has a vibrant business community, including the upscale Northbrook Court Mall as well as several major corporate headquarters. Residents are attracted to the top-rated schools and access to many recreational opportunities. This well-resourced community is attractive to a variety of residents who enjoy its small-town charm.

The Northbrook Police department is fortunate to have an exceptional reputation with the community and regionally.   The department is a key partner to the educational and business community.  The next Police Chief will have the opportunity to continue a high level of professional police services and advance community participation and engagement.  The current Police Chief is retiring after 33 years of service to the Village.

The department is comprised of 66 sworn full-time officers, and 26 civilian employees and 30 Part-Time non-sworn employees. Police Officers and Dispatchers are represented by an independent union (agreement expires April 30, 2022), while Sergeants are represented by the Combined Counties Police Association (agreement expires April 30, 2022). The Village is a Council-Manager form of government; the Chief is hired by and reports to the Village Manager.  The Department has a budget of $14.5 million. 

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and experiences:

• A progressive leader with well-developed leadership abilities who can establish a positive and professional presence in the community and will advocate and implement modern policing standards and practices. 
• A record of leading with accountability, demonstrating responsibility for his/her actions and expecting accountability from all levels of department staff.
• The next Chief will foster a supportive relationship with the residents encouraging outreach and engagement through a variety of techniques including social media.
• The next Chief will use intentional and proactive strategies for creating alignment between the police department activities and the community’s desire for strategies that respond to today’s policing challenges.
• A record of implementing communication strategies both within the department and using multiple methods of reaching out to the community.
• Continue an active and visible relationship with partner and regional public safety networks and neighboring communities.  Demonstrate successful experience in progressively responsible supervisory, administrative and managerial assignments in law enforcement, preferably in a suburban community, with a similar high service culture.
• Lead with a strong sense of self confidence; have a track record of fostering collaboration, teamwork among staff and be receptive to new ideas and systems.
• Foster a respectful union environment that supports employee personal and professional development and advancement opportunities.  The Chief will be called upon to develop a leadership staff in light of a number of command level retirements and actively guide the department through the transition.
• Experience in establishing a trusted team-oriented approach with elected officials and the Village management to ensure department needs are clearly communicated, advocating for the department when necessary, to ensure balanced strategies and solutions are implemented.
• Have an understanding of the demands and challenges facing law enforcement officials; consider ways to support the physical and mental challenges of policing in an ever-changing environment. Demonstrate a genuine passion for the police profession from an internal department standpoint and for service to the community. 
• Possess a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement or criminal justice with ten (10) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience that includes five years command experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge skills and abilities.  A master’s degree in public policy, public administration, business administration or a related field is a plus.  Position requires Illinois Law Enforcement Board certification.

Salary: $170,000 +/- DOQ with excellent benefits.  Residency in Northbrook is not required.  Interested candidates should apply online by December 1, 2020 with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least five (5) professional references to www.GovHRjobs.com to the attention of Kathleen Rush, Vice President, GovHR USA, 630 Dundee Road, Suite 130 Northbrook, IL 60061.

Click HERE to Apply!