Carol Stream moving forward with police chief search

The search for Carol Stream's new police chief is under way, with the interview process beginning this week, officials said.

Village Manager Joseph Breinig said he met with candidates Wednesday, but would not provide details.

He said the village is looking internally to fill the vacancy created in July when Chief Kevin Orr stepped down after more than 20 years with the department. Orr joined the force in 1988 and rose steadily through the ranks to become chief in 2008.

Deputy Chief Ed Sailer has been serving as the department's interim acting chief.

Orr and former Chief Rick Willing were both deputy chiefs when they became acting chiefs before being appointed to the top spot.

Although several months have passed since Orr officially retired, Breinig said there was no hurry to begin the interview process because the command staff is set up to run the department in the absence of a chief.

"One of the points of having two deputy chiefs, three commanders, sergeants, corporals, is the department can run without the chief," Breinig said. "There's no immediacy to fill the chief's position."

Village Trustee Rick Gieser said previous searches also have taken some time.

"In the past, when we've hired a police chief, it's taken a bit of time just to make sure all the bases are covered, people are talked to," he said.

Trustee Matt McCarthy said there's no hurry.

"I want the homework done to make sure we have the best possible person take over as chief," McCarthy said.

Trustee Greg Schwarze said he thinks Sailer will be named permanent chief.

"I strongly support Acting Chief Ed Sailer and am confident he will be named as the permanent chief," Schwarze said in an email. "His integrity, knowledge, experience, hard work, dedication and leadership skills has earned him the respect of both the residents he serves and the men and women he leads."