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Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski pinned his hopes for the future of law enforcement on community policing in his last address to City Council before his May 18 retirement.
“If anything is going to get policing out of the hole, it’s trying to re-engineer that whole [community policing] perspective,” he said, observing that the profession is at a “crossroads.”
After Mayor Marty Maloney read a resolution recognizing Kaminski’s work for the city, finishing with a standing ovation from the members of City Council, Kaminski reflected on the priorities of “professionalism, public trust and teamwork” that he’d focused on at the helm of Park Ridge police and said he was optimistic about the future of the department.
“I hope I met your expectations and that I left the place a little better than when it started,” he said.
He called for a “balance” between accountability and compassion for members of law enforcement.
“I think it’s important to maintain systems of accountability, but remember that officers need your compassion and support,” he said.
He also cautioned officials and citizens to take what they read on social media with a grain of salt and thanked the city staff and elected officials he’d worked with over 14 years.
Kaminski has led the Park Ridge police department since 2009. Before heading up the Park Ridge Police, he spent 33 years with the Evanston Police Department. Park Ridge announced he would leave the department in January 2023.
He has lived in Park Ridge since 1977, he said.
“Being able to be a public servant in your community where you live and care is probably one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences I’ve had,” he said.
The city set its hiring process to find the next chief of police in motion in February 2023, posting a job description April 20. The city will accept applications until May 26, according to the job posting.
