Village officials issued a press release announcing Lincolnwood police Chief Robert LaMantia’s retirement, but public accolades were bestowed on him when he was in attendance at a recent Village Board meeting.
“We appreciate Chief LaMantia’s service and dedication to the community,” mayor Barry Bass said before calling LaMantia out of the audience to receive a plaque at the Dec. 19 meeting.
LaMantia served 11 years with the Lincolnwood Police Department before his Dec. 1 retirement and end of a nearly four-decades long career in law enforcement, Bass said.
LaMantia was appointed as the Lincolnwood chief of police in October 2006 after serving the Wilmette Police Department for more than 26 years, according to village officials.
Bruce Rottner, retired deputy chief of Chicago Area 3, was sworn in as interim Lincolnwood police chief on Dec. 5. Village officials are expected to conduct a search for a permanent replacement, said Trustee Jesal Patel.
During LaMantia’s tenure in Lincolnwood, he worked as staff liaison to the traffic mission, reviewing traffic safety improvements, public hearings on the Crawford Avenue Reconstruction process and many other policy initiatives, the mayor said.
The mayor also said LaMantia was “instrumental” in the village’s coffee with the clergy program. Most recently, the chief was responsible for the transition of the emergency 9-1-1 dispatch services to the village of Skokie.
Residents and a handful of police officers in attendance at the meeting applauded as LaMantia was recognized.
“We wish you the best in health, happiness and success,” Bass said.
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Kyra Senese is a freelancer.