Interim Clarendon Hills Police Chief Given Permanent Job

The Village Board removed “interim” from Ted Jenkins’ job title Monday night, voting unanimously to appoint the 27-year veteran of the as the department’s permanent chief.

“It’s a very special night for me,” said Jenkins, who was named the interim chief July 18 after serving as acting chief for about two months following Pat Anderson’s retirement from the position in May.

Jenkins has been a deputy chief in the department since 2008. He has also served on the force as a detective, sergeant, and commander. The Village Board gave him the interim chief job with the understanding that a six-month evaluation period would follow, after which it would be determined if he were the right choice for permanent chief.

“It was never a foregone conclusion,” Jenkins said of the appointment. “When you’re really busy, you don’t have time to think about it.”

Since Jenkins took over chief’s duties, after Daniel Ryan’s alleged evidence-room gun thefts, was made public, and . There were also two major storm events during the summer, which Jenkins said were his biggest tests.

“Those were two events that really brought the village together,” Jenkins said. “It gave me a chance to work very closely with the village manager and the other departments.”

Village manager Randy Recklaus said Jenkins has passed every test “with flying colors” during his interim period. Village President Tom Karaba said it hasn’t been easy replacing Anderson, who had led the force since 2003.

“There are some big shoes to step into and I think you’ve done a very fine job,” Karaba said.

Jenkins lives in Downers Grove with his wife. He has four daughters, one son, and one granddaughter. Jenkins’ wife and three of his kids were on hand for Monday’s appointment.