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Mundelein police to make new hires
Updated: February 21, 2013 8:21AM
MUNDELEIN — Due to promotions, the Mundelein police department is getting two new faces this year.
An internal search is underway for a new deputy chief now that Eric Guenther is chief of police, a promotion he received this winter.
In addition, an upcoming retirement is also contributing to the shuffle. One of the five current sergeants is not working and involved in a disability case, said Village Administrator John Lobaito; Once the case is settled, that sergeant intends to retire, Lobaito added.
Therefore, the village board last month approved the temporary hiring of 15-year Mundelein police veteran Paul Dempsey.
“I’d consider him a well-rounded candidate,” Guenther said. “He spent several years as a police officer and several years as a detective. He also served on the Major Crimes Task Force. His leadership qualities will serve him well in his new role.”
Adding Dempsey as a sergeant before his colleague retires, Guenther said, was done to reduce overtime pay and get the other sergeants back on normal workloads.
Dempsey’s promotion creates a vacancy amid the officer ranks. Likewise, any promotion to deputy chief would cause the same ripple affect, Guenther said.
Guenther said Dempsey’s replacement will need six months of training before working independently. Mundelein typically sends new hires to the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield.
Once enrolled, the new hire will then complete a 12-week program followed by 14 weeks of field training in Mundelein.
The new recruit has not been announced.
Guenther said a similar succession could be expected if a new deputy chief is selected from within the department.
“Outside candidates are considered (for deputy chief) but I’m confident we have highly qualified candidates here in Mundelein,” Guenther said.
Selecting a new deputy chief is expected to take two-to-three months.
