Hainesville's new police chief promises to put community first
A retired deputy police chief from Antioch will lead Hainesville's first full-time police department.
Ronald Roth was sworn in Tuesday as the village's chief of police and will begin working today to get the newly formed department up and running over the next three months.
"This is not going to be a gold-plated police department, but it is going to be an efficient one," Roth said.
About 40 village residents -- many of whom were opposed to the new department -- applauded for Roth.
"It is good to hear you guys clap for something good for a change," said Mayor Ted Mueller. "Give us a chance. We're going to make this department grow."
Roth, 52, told those in attendance he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a police officer after serving in the Army for four years after high school.
He spent 28 years in Antioch, starting as a patrol officer and serving in several positions before becoming deputy chief. Roth retired from the Antioch Police Department in July.
"I'm very, very eager to come on board here," he said. "I'm a police officer. I'm a firm believer in connecting with the community. I guess a lot of people would call me old-school. I'm going to be in the neighborhoods and whoever I hire is going to be qualified."
The village board voted 3-2 Jan. 8 to form its own police department, giving the village just one month to get the program up and running before ties are severed with Round Lake Park on Feb. 10.
On Tuesday, Mueller said the Lake County sheriff's department has extended an offer to provide interim service to Hainesville for three months until Roth can have his department in operation.
Mueller said the details of the arrangement with Lake County had not been finalized but Roth would be meeting with the sheriff in the near future.
Hainesville will continue to contract with CenCom, a 911 dispatch center that serves seven communities and eight public safety agencies in Lake County.
Hainesville's preliminary police department budget is $542,000 -- $72,000 more than its current police budget. It is only about $7,500 more than what next year's cost would be if the village stayed with Round Lake Park, which is no longer an option.
The Round Lake Park Police Department has policed Hainesville since 1999, but a dispute over the cost late last year prompted Hainesville to end its contract with the department. The matter is in litigation.
"I know some of you question how we are going to make this work," Roth said. "I did my homework before I came here and I'm very impressed with the village of Hainesville. This is a nice community and you deserve a good police department. I can promise you, that is what you are going to get."