Campton Hill locks up top cop's contract

Campton Hills trustees approved a three-year contract Tuesday with a man expected to build the village's first police department from scratch.

A 27-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, Gregory Anderson starts as Campton Hills first police chief Sept. 15. His annual salary will be $80,000.

Anderson also will receive a $5,000 moving bonus for relocating to the village and is eligible for a $15,000 "tenure bonus" if he remains chief until Sept. 13, 2010, according to his contract.

As the first police employee since Campton Hills incorporated after an April referendum, Anderson will be on call 24 hours a day until he hires additional officers. He also is tasked with setting policies, preparing budgets and overseeing all police operations.

"We're very excited to have him," Village President Patsy Smith said. "We've gotten some very good response from people who know him."

Anderson will receive annual raises of up to 3 percent, based on the consumer price index. He also is eligible for 5 percent "merit increases" each year, based on his performance, the contract states.

In addition, the village will pay him $75 a month as reimbursement for cell phone expenses; pay his membership dues in four professional organizations; buy his uniforms; and contribute annually to his pension fund.

Each year, Anderson will receive 20 vacation days and credit for 15 sick days.

Before coming to Campton Hills, Anderson served in several capacities in the Aurora department, including patrol commander; planning and research; training; investigations; and on several specialized units and task forces.

He has said he is looking forward to "the opportunity and challenge of starting a new police department that the residents of Campton Hills will be proud of."