Glenview deputy chief in line to be named top cop in Grayslake
A deputy police chief from the Glenview Police Department is in line to be the new top cop in Grayslake, village officials said.
Mayor Rhett Taylor will recommend the village board approve Phillip Perlini as the new police chief at a village board meeting scheduled for July 3. If approved, Perlini is expected to take over the department on July 30.
Perlini, who has served in law enforcement for 32 years, would replace former chief Matt McCutcheon, who’s official resignation takes effect Sunday. McCutcheon has been on administrative leave since the beginning of April when he was arrested and charged in a DUI-related accident in Wisconsin.
Perlini said he is “very excited” to start work as the new top cop in Grayslake.
“There are good people on board there, with a great understanding of the procedures and policies,” Perlini said Friday. “I hope to add many more years of stability to the Grayslake Police Department.”
Perlini, who also is a certified firefighter/EMT with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District since 2001, began his police career as a telecommunicator in Park Ridge before becoming a full-time police officer for Hoffman Estates in 1983.
He was hired as a full-time police officer in Glenview in 1984, then spent the next 28 years with the department, serving as sergeant, commander, then deputy chief. He has also served as patrol commander, support services commander, and commander of investigations.
Taylor said he is “very happy” to have Perlini coming on as police chief, and said he looks forward to him “coming on board.”
Perlini, who holds a bachelor of science degree in business management and a master’s degree from Dominican University, would take over for acting police chief Jack McKeever, who is contracted to remain at the police department only until July 1.
Taylor said discussions are ongoing with McKeever to remain on until Perlini would be able to start. However, Taylor added that McKeever had previous commitments to attend to and he is unsure if the retired chief can stay.
“The exact transition date is sort of up in the air right now,” Taylor said. “However, if need be, the department is able to function on its own for a few days, depending on when (McKeever) has to leave.”
Kenosha County police arrested McCutcheon, 46, of Fox Lake, after claiming he was intoxicated when he caused a crash with another vehicle about 10:10 p.m. March 30 just over the border near Silver Lake, Wis. McCutcheon has pleaded not guilty to charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating left of centerline.
No one was injured in the collision, but authorities said McCutcheon was swaying, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes when they interviewed him after the crash.
McCutcheon wrote in the early April resignation letter he didn’t believe he could provide effective leadership that Grayslake residents deserve with the charges pending against him.
“Obviously it was frustrating, both personally and for the village as a whole, and truly unfortunate that this whole incident happened,” Taylor said. “But, hopefully the hiring of a new police chief can bring a sense of relief for everyone, and I’m hopeful this entire unfortunate incident is at an end.”