Article updated: 7/18/2012 5:44 AM

Some suburban police departments more top heavy than others

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Wauconda Police Chief Doug Larsson said his department has 10 of its 26 officers in supervisory roles because the village was planning for population and development growth that was stymied by the recession.

STEVE LUNDY | Staff Photographer, 2009

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In Wauconda, 10 of 26 sworn officers are supervisors, a ratio some village officials believe should be remedied in the coming years.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

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Several suburban police departments have high numbers of officers in supervisory roles overseeing fewer subordinates, at a higher cost to taxpayers. But a few other departments have supervisory levels that fall too low, says one expert. Leonard Territo, one of the co-authors of the police administration textbook, said specific circumstances should dictate a police department's supervisory staffing levels.

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