Streamwood promotes deputy police chief to top cop

Streamwood officials have tapped Deputy Police Chief Jim Gremo as the village's next top cop.

The 27-year veteran of the department will be promoted to police chief with a swearing-in at the village board meeting Thursday.

Village Manager Gary O'Rourke called Gremo a strong leader whose experience will usher in a smooth transition after Chief James Keegan steps down to take the same job in St. Charles.

"Deputy Chief Gremo was the clear choice for the position," O'Rourke said.

The village did not solicit any external candidates to succeed Keegan, whose salary was $131,628 a year.

Gremo, who has spent his entire career with Streamwood, joined the department as a patrol officer in 1987. He served as a sergeant, detective and commander before ascending to deputy chief in 1998.

Gremo will oversee a department with 58 sworn officers and a $9.1 million budget. Officials are finalizing his new salary, O'Rourke said.

One of his first tasks will involve a reshuffling of department leadership. Gremo expects to name a new deputy chief, commander and sergeant from within Streamwood's ranks by mid-July.

"We have some extremely talented supervisors in the department," said Gremo, who called his selection as chief an "honor."

Streamwood has recognized Gremo twice with department awards. He was lauded in the early 1990s for performing CPR on a Streamwood High School student in cardiac arrest, and later, for working with Hanover Park and Bartlett police to create a booklet for residents about area street gangs.

Meanwhile, Keegan's last day is Thursday. He is expected to take the helm of the St. Charles Police Department June 30.

Streamwood trustees will pay tribute to his 22-year tenure at Thursday's board meeting, set for 7 p.m. at village hall, 301 E. Irving Park Road.