Congratulations to three of our local police chiefs who are retiring this summer. Their hard work, dedication, and service has helped keep our communities safe over the years. While we will miss their exceptional leadership, we look forward to working with the new Chiefs for years to come.
Harvard
Deputy Chief Mark Krause, a 19-year veteran of the force will officially take over as chief this summer. He replaces retiring Chief Dan Kazy-Garey.
Incoming Chief Krause has been the deputy chief for three years. Krause, 42, started his career with the Harvard Police Department in 1995, serving as the department’s first school resource officer shortly thereafter. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2001. Chief Krause has a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice administration. He received both from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo., and completed his master’s degree in December 2013.
Chief Kazy-Garey’s last official day as chief is July 3. He began his career with the department on April 1, 1984. He was promoted to Sergeant within two years of getting hired and headed the department’s investigation unit before becoming Chief. Chief Kazy-Garey also received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo.
Lake in the Hills
James Wales, Director of Public Safety and former Chief of Police for Lake in the Hills, retired on April 30, 2014. Chief Wales served with the Lake in the Hills police department for 35 years. He took his first police job with the Village after working three years as a public safety officer at Harper College in Palatine. In the Village’s 62-year history, he was only the second police chief — after Irv Floress.
Incoming Chief David Brey began his career in 1992 as a police officer with Lake in the Hills. In 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was promoted again in 2006 to Deputy Chief of Patrol Services. Throughout his career Chief Brey has served as a community patrol officer, detective, member of the major investigations, field training officer, patrol shift commander, training manager, and investigations supervisor.
Chief Brey earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice from Illinois State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has attended several police-related managerial training programs. Chief Brey, his wife, and two children are Village residents.
Lakewood
Chief Larry Howell has served as Chief of Lakewood since 2003. Prior to that, he served the Village of Lake in the Hills police force, beginning part time and moving up the ranks from Patrol Officer to Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and Deputy Chief. He had also previously served in the City of Crystal Lake’s police force.
Incoming Chief Leigh Rawson is a 20-year veteran with the City of Elgin Police Department, where he moved up the ranks to become Lieutenant and then Patrol Commander. He has wide-ranging experience, having previously been assigned to the Patrol Division, Traffic Investigations Unit, Major Investigations Division, and the Tactical Response Team. Prior to his service to the City of Elgin P.D., Chief Rawson was a practicing attorney.
Chief Rawson will be sworn in at the June 24, 2014, Board of Trustees meeting. He will begin his new assignment on June 30, 2014.
Author: Jonathan M. Feinstein