Round Lake board OKs new police chief

Round Lake Mayor James Dietz's pick for police chief received village board approval Monday night.

Michael Gillette was approved in a 6-0 village board vote. Deputy Police Chief Francis Foy had been interim top cop for the past 21 months since the resignation of Cliffton Metaxa.

Gillette, 53, comes to Round Lake from Carpentersville, where he rose to deputy chief in a 28-year career.

Before Gillette was named deputy chief, his Carpentersville experience included patrol officer, SWAT commander, evidence technician, detective, accident investigator and training officer. He was sworn-in as police Chief Monday night after the village board vote.

Round Lake Mayor James Dietz said Gillette topped the list of roughly 60 applicants who wanted to be the village's police chief. Dietz said he was impressed by Gillette's wide range of experience and a description of his management style, which is to guide employees and lead by example.

He wants to learn the department and judge people on the merits of what they can do," Dietz said of Gillette.

Dietz expects Gillette to be visible in Round Lake.

Gillette said he walked the village and talked to residents and business owners while he was a candidate for police chief.

While Round Lake's elected officials welcomed Gillette to his new job, they also praised Foy for his performance as interim chief following Metaxa's resignation in 2009.

"I'm very happy you stepped up to the plate," Trustee Sonia Sandoval told Foy, who will continue as deputy police chief.

A reception for Gillete was held outside the village board meeting chambers shortly after his appointment became official.