Elgin police promotions shine spotlight on mentoring

The message of a police ceremony Friday in Elgin was straightforward - officers can have a profound influence on each other as mentors and role models.

The ceremony marked the retirements of Phil Danner and Gary Neal, both sergeants, and the promotions to the rank of sergeant of officers Eric Echevarria and Rob Hartman, both of whom credited other officers with helping them along the way.

Neal always focused on the community and treated everyone with respect and dignity, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said during the event at the Centre of Elgin.

"Gary is one of those people that I think gets it and inspires me, and I know many other police officers," he said.

Neal, a nearly 26-year veteran of the department, said he had "a blessed career."

"What was most important is that the people that served under me understood that I was more of a servant to them than they were to me," he said. "I think that's one of the pinnacles of leadership."

Neal will work as a campus police officer at McHenry County College while continuing his ministry with the nonprofit Simply Redeemed Reentry & Diversionary Initatives, which he founded.

Danner, a 29-year veteran of the department, will continue to work for Elgin police as an evidence room technician.

Danner racked up awards over the years, including manager of the year, and always was among the department's most reliable members, Swoboda said. "If you have guys like him who care about the community, who care about the work you do, you know that regardless of what we come across, we were going to get through it."

Danner said he met "incredible people" and had an "incredible experience" in Elgin, where the city council and the city manager's office ensure the police department has all the resources it needs.

"I can't take credit for most of what I've done - it's all team work, "he said. "This is all that I ever wanted to do and I was lucky enough to have a dream come true."

Echevarria is among the most well-known officers in the community, Swoboda said. For example, he recently spearheaded the department's Spanish-language citizens police academy. "He's a guy who just keeps on keeping on - very busy, very motivated, always coming up with new ideas," Swoboda said.

Echevarria thanked his family for supporting him throughout his career. "(My parents) taught me what it is to work hard and let my work speak for itself," he said. "I think I've done that."

He also gave a nod to Neal, who served as his mentor and first predicted 13 years ago that Echevarria was going to make sergeant.

Hartman, who serves as a resident officer in the near west side neighborhood, "is one who never shies away from speaking his mind in the appropriate way and always challenging the police department to do better," Swoboda said.

Hartman credited Det. Tom Wolek with prompting him to test for the police department in the mid-90s. The job is all about treating people as you'd treat your own brother or mother, Hartman said.

"Show them that you're a human being," he said. "We make mistakes. We have good days and bad days. We are not robots - and you don't want that. You want an officer who does it with heart."