Clarendon Hills Police Chief Announces Retirement

The Thursday afternoon announced Chief Pat Anderson has decided to retire from the force he has led since 2003.

According to Clarendon Hills Village Manager Randy Recklaus, Anderson's retirement was effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Deputy Chief Ted Jenkins is currently acting chief.

Recklaus said the  received no prior notice of Anderson’s retirement. He let village staff know his intentions Wednesday.

“I think he just decided it was time to go,” Recklaus said when asked for a reason behind the chief’s retirement. “I wouldn’t know how to give an answer to that question.”

According to a police department release sent out Thursday afternoon, Anderson was instrumental in the establishment of the "Alive at 25" program for safe driving in Clarendon Hills.

Under Anderson’s watch, department headquarters was redesigned and reconstructed and Clarendon Hills Police was the first police agency statewide to adopt the Lexipol police policy manual program.

“Anderson also was instrumental in the establishment of the Village’s fiber optic network in partnership with the BNSF railway,” the release read.

Recklaus said the village will begin its search for a replacement as soon as possible and a “search firm” will likely be hired. The village used such a firm to find Anderson in 2003.  

Recklaus said village staff will look for a replacement with the same style as Anderson.

“He’s been a good chief for us and accomplished quite a few things,” Recklaus said. “They’ll be some tough shoes to fill.”

The department release quoted Village President Tom Karaba as saying, “The Village of Clarendon Hills is a much improved community and better place to live because of Chief Anderson’s passion for public service and dedication to this community. He will certainly be missed by his fellow Village employees, his colleagues in law enforcement in this region, and the community at large. On behalf of the entire Village Board, I wish Pat and his family nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Before Clarendon Hills, Recklaus said, Anderson served on the Deerfield police force.