Board of Police Commissioners
Public trust, earned one hire at a time.
The relationship between a police department and the community it serves is built long before an emergency call ever comes in. It is built in how officers are selected, how they are held to standard, and whether residents believe those decisions are made fairly and in the open.
In Illinois, that responsibility is deliberately placed in the hands of citizens rather than administrators. Residents of Winthrop Harbor serve on a board charged with making sure the men and women who wear this village's badge are qualified, accountable, and worthy of the trust placed in them.
That is the work of the Board of Police Commissioners.
What the Board Does
Acting under Illinois statute, the Board of Police Commissioners is responsible for the appointment, promotion and removal of sworn officers and members of the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, other than the Chief of Police. The Board may establish hiring lists that include lateral-entry candidates - experienced sworn officers currently or recently serving full time in other Illinois jurisdictions who are fully qualified under state law. The Board adopts rules appropriate to carrying out its statutory duties, though it does not govern the day-to-day operation of the Police Department or the conduct of its members, which remain the responsibility of the Chief.
Membership
The Board consists of three members appointed by the Village President with the consent of the Board of Trustees, each serving a three-year term. Commissioners are officers of the municipality, take an oath of office, and are bonded. State law limits the number of members belonging to the same political party and prohibits the appointment of close relatives of elected officials. The Board elects its own Chairperson each municipal year and may appoint a Secretary.
Get Involved
Residents interested in being considered for appointment should contact the Village Office at 830 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096.
Municipal Code Reference
Village of Winthrop Harbor Code of Ordinances, Chapter 34, §§ 34.30 – 34.33