Hoffman Estates names acting police chief
Hoffman Estates Assistant Police Chief Michael Hish, a 25-year veteran of the department, will replace retiring Police Chief Clinton Herdegen.
"Nothing's going to change as for the openness of the department and the level of customer service to the community," Hish said.
Village Manager James Norris announced Hish's appointment to acting police chief during Tuesday's village board meeting. Norris selected Hish from an undisclosed number of internal candidates.
"Mike is well-suited for the position, and I'm sure he'll do a great job," Norris said.
Though he'll assume most of Herdegen's responsibilities, for now the title will remain "acting." Hish said he'd like to assume the post permanently but hasn't been told when a permanent chief would be named. Norris, who is in charge of filling the position, said he hasn't decided upon the process. Hish and other members of the police department will be considered.
"One step at a time," Norris said.
Hish said he looks forward to the challenge of the village's top cop and thanked Norris and the village board for trusting him and his abilities. He said he hopes to follow the example Herdegen has set in terms of service to the community.
Herdegen spent 20 months as acting chief before earning the permanent post after former Chief Donald Cundiff left in 1998. Herdegen praised Hish and Steve Casstevens, the village's second assistant police chief. The two have filled in for Herdegen as chief in the past when he was away from the village, for example when he's on vacation.
"That's one of the reasons Hish is qualified," Herdegen said.
One of the reasons it took 20 months until Herdegen was named chief was Norris was new to the village manager's post, Norris said.
"I had to get to know him, Norris said.
Herdegen will leave his post as police chief at the end of the month, ending his Hoffman Estates career which started in 1981. He's among 10 employees who took the village's early retirement offer which saves Hoffman Estates $1.1 million in combined annual salary and benefits. The village announced the cost-cutting moves last month and offered qualifying employees three years of health insurance coverage as terms of the buyouts. Public Works Director Ken Hari also accepted the offer and will leave at the end of the year. More buyouts will be offered later this year as the village plans next year's budget under a harsh economic climate.
The village named Hish assistant chief in 2002. Village officials credit him with revamping the emergency-preparedness plans for Hoffman Estates after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Herdegen said village staff works together better as a result of Hish's work.
Herdegen, 50, said he's not ready to say where he'll be employed after September. He previously said he'd take a job at another police department. The village will hold a reception before the board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday Sept. 20 at village hall to recognize Herdegen's departure and career in Hoffman Estates.
Acting: Hish wants to assume post permanently