After more than a decade, Libertyville has a new police chief – following the departure of Clint Herdegen, who officials said had been on medical leave since December.
Deputy Chief Ed Roncone was sworn in at the Village Board meeting Tuesday, replacing Herdegen, who retired.
“We’ve had a very solid foundation here under Chief Herdegen,” Roncone told Pioneer Press. “My goal is to build on the solid foundation.”
Roncone, 55, has been a longtime member of the Libertyville Police Department, joining the force in 1989 and rising through the ranks over the next three decades. In 2019, Roncone was promoted to deputy chief, according to a village news release announcing the leadership change. He was appointed acting police chief in December due to an undisclosed illness that sidelined Herdegen.
According to the release, Herdegen was awarded a non-duty disability pension in June by the Police Pension Board “due to an ongoing illness.”
Herdegen did not immediately comment on his departure.
Mayor Donna Johnson, who recommended Roncone be appointed to the role, described him as someone who could foster morale. He also emphasizes training and is an intelligent individual who knows how to lead, Johnson said.
The mayor said despite serving in the interim for an extended period of time, Roncone never complained or wondered when his time might come. Instead, he focused on running the department, she said.
“To me that just speaks volumes about not only the competence of the individual, but their character, their ability to lead and their unselfishness in very difficult, challenging times,” she said.
Trustees voted to approve the appointment.
Roncone said despite having served in the chief role on an interim basis for several months, there is work to do. The new chief said he expects to make department promotions to fill roles for deputy chief, sergeant and lieutenant.
The Libertyville Police Department is made up of 48 members, both sworn and non-sworn.
Roncone also mentioned putting together a wellness program for officers to help with mental health concerns. And as the area continues to move through the novel coronavirus pandemic, Roncone said there will be a focus to reach out to the community again.
“I think it’s important to get out and have that contact with the community,” he said.
To go along with his promotion, Roncone is an assistant team commander for the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, which is an organization that provides aid to more than 100 police agencies, according to the release. He also works as a subject matter expert on policing for the National Fire Protection Association and is a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the Illinois Tactical Officers Association, the release states.
He also helps with police training across the state.
The swearing in came two weeks after the mayor and Village Board honored Herdegen with a proclamation and a thank you for his service. While reading the proclamation at the July 13 meeting, Johnson cried on several occasions, calling Herdegen a “dear friend” and describing him as an “excellent” chief.
Herdegen had been police chief since 2010. Johnson said not only did he excel in the role, he was adaptive, as well, to changing situations.
“Clint is the benchmark…in policing,” Johnson said. “Clint was just very effective and he’s a good person…he’s the kind of quality police officer we’ve all grown up looking for.”
At the same July 13 meeting, Herdegen’s daughter, Kristine, was sworn in as an officer. The now-former chief also has a son who is a paramedic in Lake County.
