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Schaumburg interim police chief to start Monday

Schaumburg officials have named retired Illinois State Police Col. Kenneth A. Bouche as the village's interim police chief to immediately succeed the retiring Brian Howerton.

Bouche, who was recommended by law enforcement consultant firm Hillard Heintze, is expected to be sworn in Monday morning and will serve alongside Howerton through Howerton's retirement on Friday, April 5.

A search for a permanent police chief remains under way.

Bouche is chief operating officer for Hillard Heintze and has been one of the lead assessors on the team now conducting a thorough, three-month review of the Schaumburg Police Department's practices. The village sought the review in the wake of three undercover officers' arrests on drug conspiracy charges in January.

Howerton also has been dealing with a complaint of stalking and harassment filed against him by his estranged ex-girlfriend last March. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing in January, but an internal village investigation of the complaint is expected to be completed next week.

According to village sources, Bouche served several roles during a 23-year career with the Illinois State Police. He served as a major and lieutenant colonel responsible for advancing innovation and effectiveness in many different areas of police work.

Bouche began his career as a member of the Military Police with the Air Force. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University.

Bouche released a prepared statement Friday morning.

“Over the last several weeks, along with my colleagues at Hillard Heintze, I have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know a great many of the professional men and women who serve the department and the people of Schaumburg with integrity and commitment every day,” he said.

“Even for a short period of time, it is an honor to serve with them,” he added. “Together we will begin the work necessary to improve the integrity, operations and reputation of the SPD and help shape it, now and over time, into a national example of a true community-focused policing agency committed to public service and excellence.”

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