Department History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Department was created in 1961 under the direction of Mayor Orville Bremer.  The Village Board, through Ordinance 269,  formed the first Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.  The newly appointed three member Board consisted of Robert A. Scott, Duane Sawdy and Don Berube.

The Board started compiling the "Police Manual" which, with modifications throughout the years, is still in use today.  A merit system was established encompassing hiring standards.  Testing requirements for officer candidates was also established by the Board.

Mearl J. Justus was appointed as the first full-time Chief of Police, holding the rank of Colonel.  Jack Spinks was appointed Lieutenant, Roy E. Baur was appointed as a Sergeant.

Patrolmen hired in 1961 included Robert S. Antoff, Charles A. Nadeau, Adrian A. Angel, Walter J Mondzak, Robert J. Staten and Ralph V. Williams.  In addition, three part time officers were hired, Carl L. Winterbaur, Roy C. Hurt and Carl R. Lohman.  Jo Ann Hoock was hired as a clerk.

In 1971 a grant was obtained from the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission to purchase patrol cars for each of the officers.  The fleet was increased to 13 marked units and 2 unmarked units.  The Department was the second in the nation to use the so called "Indianapolis Plan" or saturation program, which allowed officers to take their respective patrol car home after shift.  This program has been successful and continues today.

Sergeant Robert Antoff in 1978 was the first officer to attain twenty years of service to the Department.  In 1979 two more officers, Chief Justus and Sergeant Charles Nadeau also reached the twenty year mark.

In December 1982 Chief Justus left the Department having been elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, Illinois.  Captain Richard Odem was appointed Chief of Police.

Chief Odem retired in 1993 after 31 years of service to the Department.  Captain Lawrence J. Sanderson was appointed Chief of Police September 1, 1993.

Chief Sanderson retired in 1999 after 29 years of service.  Captain Charles Sharp was appointed Chief of Police in February 1999.

Chief Sharp retired in August 2003 after 30 years of service. Master Sergeant Richard Watson, a 26 year member of the department, was appointed Chief of Police in August 2003 and is the current chief