Lake ranger police chief awarded professional certification

Lake County Forest Preserves Chief of Ranger Police John Tannahill has been designated a Certified Police Chief by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

The organization’s distinguished certification program is designed to recognize law enforcement professionals who excel in all facets of the police chief function.

The designation signifies Tannahill has met the highest standards of competency and conduct for his profession. To maintain certification status, police chiefs must meet ongoing requirements and apply for recertification every five years.

Those interested in pursuing certification must first meet the ILACP’s criteria for experience, education, professional membership, and community involvement.

Candidates must demonstrate extensive law enforcement experience, including command and executive posts, a solid educational background that encompasses continuing education and training, and an active participation in relevant professional and community organizations.

After meeting these requirements, they proceed with the certification examination, which tests knowledge of managerial concepts, modern policing concepts, law and leading cases, and budgeting principles.

Candidates must then face a panel of their peers, consisting of two active Illinois police chiefs and a professor in a university law enforcement program.

During the structured interview, the panel questions and evaluates the candidate in the areas of leadership, management, public relations, verbal communication and ethics. Only those who have successfully completed all phases of the assessment process are granted the distinction of a Certified Police Chief in Illinois.

Illinois is the only state that offers a Police Chief Certification Program based on an extensive, legally validated examination process.