The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police has tapped Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy to be the organization’s first “Chief of the Year,” citing his innovative approach to law enforcement.
The honor recognizing departmental, law-enforcement and association leadership will be bestowed on McCarthy during the state organization’s annual awards banquet April 22 in Schaumburg.
McCarthy has headed Orland Park law enforcement since 1994. He began his law enforcement career in 1972 with the Secret Service and achieved national recognition in 1981 when he was shot in the line of duty protecting President Ronald Regan during an assassination attempt.
In nominating McCarthy, Orland Park Deputy Chief Thomas Kenealy credited the chief with establishing “a professional organization that has kept pace with change” through training, professional development, networking, community engagement and technological enhancement.
In addition to promoting crisis-intervention training, McCarthy has encouraged community policing initiatives and pioneered officers’ use of a life-saving antidote for opiate overdoses. Through his leadership, Orland Park also became the first municipal police agency to receive a certificate of authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration for the use of a drone.
“The Orland Park Police Department has always been on the forefront for innovative programming with Chief McCarthy and his administration always looking for ways to better the department and better serve the Orland Park community,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin.
“We are very proud of all that the chief has accomplished during his time with Orland Park and it’s fitting that his peers think so too,” McLaughlin said.
Orland Park Village Trustee Dan Calandriello, who chairs the Village Board’s public safety committee, said, Orland Park’s top cop “holds himself to a high standard, always striving to do better. Whether it’s through law enforcement innovations, police methods, training or community policing, Chief McCarthy reflects what leaders in law enforcement should be.”
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McCarthy’s influence has extended beyond the department, lobbying on law enforcement issues and helping establish the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
The professional development of Orland Park officers, McCarthy’s deep involvement in legislative advocacy and his support of the Special Olympics helped him stand out among candidates for the award, said ILACP Executive Director Ed Wojcicki of Springfield, characterizing the issues as three of the ILACP’s five major accomplishments.
Park Ridge Police Chief and ILACP President Frank Kaminski also acknowledged McCarthy’s influence.
“Many of us have known and worked with Tim on local and statewide initiatives,” Kaminski said. “We recognize him as an innovative leader who has done so much for law enforcement.”
McLaughlin termed the award “a tremendous honor both for Chief McCarthy and for the Orland Park Police Department.
“Being honored by the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs is a testament to all of the successful programs and initiatives that the Orland Park Police Department has implemented.”
McCarthy holds a master’s degree in criminal justice/social justice from Lewis University and received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is married and has three children.
Dennis Sullivan is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.