Antioch promotes commander to police chief

Despite saying he would conduct a search for a new police chief, Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson decided to go in-house to make his selection.

The village has promoted Cmdr. Craig Somerville, who has been with the department since 1992, to the top job. Sommerville replaces Jim Foerster, who was fired as chief last week over a confrontation with a political candidate last summer.

Hanson said Wednesday that hiring Sommerville now is better than a search that would leave the department without a chief for three or four months.

“If we can bring about positive change in the department more quickly and effectively by going this route, then public safety is enhanced and we can move forward,” he said.

The mayor can appoint the chief, but the village board must vote on approval. The board is expected to formally make that decision Nov. 1.

Somerville, who took over as acting chief this week, said he has already begun making changes in the department.

“It's been 48 hours and we have a new face here,” Somerville said. “In two days I've watched the morale go through the ceiling. Officers are showing up here 40 minutes early for no reason.”

Somerville said he wants to take politics out of the department and get back to old fashion police work.

“I didn't go after this. I didn't seek this. I've never been a politician,” Somerville said. “I do not need politics playing a role in my law enforcement.”

Had the village decided to search, it had a list of about five retired chiefs who were available to come in for a short time and help the department transition, Hanson said.

However, Somerville's name came up and it was discovered he could handle the transition quite well, Hanson added.

“I think, at the end of the day, we made the right decision,” he said. “Craig is very qualified, knows the community, and has held every position in the department. I think he will do an excellent job.”

During his 18-year career in Antioch, Somerville has risen through from patrolman to sergeant to commander.

He also spearheaded the creation and implementation of the Special Enforcement Team, to deter gang and drug activity in the community.

“We have a bold mayor who made a very decisive choice here,” Somerville said. “I am not going to let him down.”

Sommerville takes over from Foerster, who was demoted for “conduct unbecoming” over a confrontation with state representative candidate Scott Pollak during a late-night meeting in July. Officials said Foerster drank two alcoholic beverages before attending the meeting.

Foerster's attorney, however, maintains those claims are out of context and untrue.

Foerster has returned to work in the Antioch Police Department, as a lieutenant.

“We always had different management styles, but always respected each other's decisions,” Somerville said of his relationship with Foerster.

Foerster was on paid administrative leave since being suspended in late July, Hanson said, leaving the department without a police chief.

Hanson said he hopes that controversy is behind the village.

“I had a job to do as mayor and I did it,” he said. “We did everything we could to minimize the conflict and move forward, and I think hiring Craig is the right decision.”