The new police chief in Lincolnshire has a major goal in mind for his department, but he wants his staff — and the public — to keep it in perspective.
“The goal would be to have the best police department, per capita, in the nation,” said Joe Leonas.
Leonas, who worked in the Bartlett Police Department for the first 26 years of his career, was sworn-in as the top cop in Lincolnshire during a village board meeting Aug. 22. Calling it a dream job, Leonas said he thinks his new staff can meet his goal for the department, although he admitted the task will be tough.
That would mean a lower rate of crime for each individual living or working in Lincolnshire. Coming to Lincolnshire without experience as a police chief, he wants to direct his officers to dream big, he said.
“I’m very impressed with the staff,” he said. “I’m very impressed with the officers. There’s not a whole lot of work that needs to be done. This place has been run very well.”
Village board members selected Leonas after looking through 60 applicants to replace Peter Kinsey, who retired after nearly five years with Lincolnshire.
Village manager Brad Burke, who took part in his first search for a police chief, said Leonas’ experience both in an actual administration and as an instructor at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety made him stand out. Leonas also filed retirement paperwork with the Bartlett department, acting last as the department’s deputy police chief.
“He’s hit the ground running,” Burke said. “He brings a wealth of information and experience, and will hopefully take us into the future.”
Born in Highland Park, the 49-year-old Leonas graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in English. He later earned a master’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University.
He said the English degree has come in handy throughout his law enforcement career.
“It helps you with critical thinking, and that’s the emphasis,” he said. “It helps you to articulate through issues.”
Leonas joined the Bartlett department in 1990 and advanced through the ranks. When Lincolnshire Mayor Liz Brandt administered his oath of office, about a dozen Bartlett police officers came to watch and congratulate him.
Leonas now leads a Lincolnshire department of 24 officers. He already has said the department could use another full-time officer.
He will have the chance to make his case since the budget year in Lincolnshire starts Jan. 1, making him a part of budget planning in his first full year.
Leonas also will make $125,000 in his first year, Burke said.
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After meeting more with this staff, Leonas plans to look at ways to reduce crime and bolster programming, he said.
He said the only way to make the department the best per-capita force in the nation would be to start with input from his new staff.
“I want to learn the culture of the police department and the village,” he said. “It’s easy to just walk in with your own ideas, but they wouldn’t necessarily work. I can only get there with the help of everybody.”
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