Position Details
The Community The Village of Oak Park, Illinois is seeking police professionals with command level law enforcement experience to apply for the position of Deputy Police Chief.
The next Deputy Chief will help guide the Police Department's continued excellence.
Oak Park is a vibrant, historic, and diverse community of over 54,000. It borders the west side of Chicago. Known for its distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle, architectural heritage, strong sense of community, and deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Oak Park offers an exceptional quality of life and a police department dedicated to progressive, community-focused public safety.
The Position:
Under general administrative direction from the Police Chief, the Deputy Police Chief performs responsible management and administrative work and assists in the planning and coordination of Police Department operations, including field operations, criminal investigations, management services, and records management. The Deputy Police Chief coordinates assigned activities with other Village departments and outside agencies, provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Police Chief, and exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff. The position is being filled following the retirement of one of the incumbent Deputy Chiefs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the organization, staffing, and operational activities of the Police Department, including the maintenance of law and order, protection of life and property, regulation of traffic, apprehension and detention of law violators, and maintenance of police records; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
- Participate in developing and implementing department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area, and in directing, coordinating, and reviewing the department's work plan.
- Identify opportunities to improve service delivery methods and procedures and implement improvements.
- Select, train, motivate, and evaluate department personnel; coordinate staff training; and administer discipline as needed.
- Participate in the development and administration of the department budget; forecast staffing, equipment, and supply needs; and monitor and approve expenditures.
- Represent the Police Department to other Village departments, elected officials, community groups, and outside agencies; explain, justify, and defend department programs and policies; and negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
- Confer with citizens and Village officials on law enforcement matters and assist in developing innovative municipal law enforcement policies.
- Review and analyze reports, legislation, and court decisions; respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; and fill in for the Police Chief as necessary.
Qualifications:
Experience:
- Must be a proven leader who recognizes the significance of working collaboratively, both within the Department and in the community.
- Seven (7) to ten (10) years of broad and extensive law enforcement experience.
- Five (5) years of administrative and supervisory experience preferred.
- Must be an exceptional communicator, able to thoughtfully represent the interests of the Department and the Village, with a high level of community engagement.
Education, Licensing and Certification:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in political science, criminal justice, public or business administration, organizational behavior or development, or a related field is required.
- Masters degree plus advanced command-level training from the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety (NUCPS), Southern Police Institute (SPI), Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), or equivalent is preferred.
- Must be a Certified Police Officer in the State of Illinois, or able to attain certification within 6 months of employment.
- Must have, or be able to obtain a valid State of Illinois driver's license within 90 days.
How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.
The Village of Oak Park is working with LocalGov Staffing Solutions, LLC to fill this important role.
For questions regarding the position or process, please contact:
Joe De Lopez, Principal Consultant
jdelopez@localgovstaffing.com
The Village of Oak Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
