Mount Prospect hires former Palatine police chief for top cop job
John Koziol, chief of police for Palatine from 2002 to 2014, has been chosen to serve as the next chief of the Mount Prospect Police Department.
Village Manager Michael Cassady announced the selection Wednesday. Koziol was one of our finalists interviewed last week by Cassady and four
members of the village leadership team. He will start Jan. 3 at an annual salary of $150,000.
The team chose Koziol, 55, based on his previous leadership experience and his interpersonal skills, Cassady said in a news release.
"I would describe John as a positive, forward-thinking 'cop's cop,'" Cassady said. "He can relate to what officers and civilians encounter on a day-to-day basis. He has a solid understanding of the challenges that both the village and the police department are facing and I believe his leadership style and commitment to high performance will be an excellent fit for the organization."
Koziol joined the Palatine force as a patrolman in 1985 and rose through the ranks to chief. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.
"I come from a police family and despite being an administrator for nearly half my career I am a cop at heart. Every day of my professional life I have been proud to be a part of this most noble profession," Koziol said in the news release.
Since retiring from Palatine after 29 years of service, Koziol has served as a police officer in Inverness.
"This time in the field has given me a renewed respect of those that do it day in and day out," Koziol said. "It is an asset I will carry as I lead the department's police officers."
The village began the nationwide search for a new chief in October following the retirement of Timothy Janowick, chief since 2014. Koziol will not pursue an additional police pension, but will participate in a 401(a) defined contribution plan, according to the news release.