Louis Rossi selected as top cop in Gilberts
A former Kildeer police chief currently working in Nevada was selected as the new top cop in Gilberts.
Louis Rossi, 57, who left Kildeer in October 2012 to serve as criminal investigator for the Nevada Secretary of State's Office, is expected to be appointed Tuesday by Gilberts Village President Rick Zirk with the board's consent, officials said Wednesday.
Police Chief Steven Williams, 65, will retire effective Friday.
Rossi was selected from among 72 applicants, officials said. He has 30 years of experience, including serving as chief in Kildeer and Highwood for about 2½ years each, and as deputy chief in Morton Grove, where he started his law enforcement career.
He has a bachelor's degree from Northeastern Illinois University and credentials from the FBI National Academy, Southern Police Administrator Officers Course and Incident Command School, officials said.
"Chief Rossi brings a wealth of experience to Gilberts," Zirk said in a news release. "He will work collaboratively and lead the Gilberts Police Department into the future."
The department has seven full-time and 12 part-time employees, with a budget of approximately $1.3 million.
Rossi said he wanted to try something new in Nevada, but missed being chief.
"I miss doing what I do best, and what makes me happy, which is being chief of police in a small village in the Chicago area," he said.
He and his wife will move back into their Schaumburg home, he said. They have a 27-year-old son.
Williams said that after 48 years in law enforcement, it's simply time to retire.
He began serving in Gilberts in December 2009 after holding posts in Rolling Meadows, Macomb and Lombard.
"It's time for me to step aside and let somebody else work hard," said Williams, who lives in Palatine. "I've had a marvelous career and I was very happy that I was able to end it in Gilberts."
Six applicants were interviewed by a selection committee including Williams, two trustees and Village Administrator Ray Keller, Williams said. Three made the final cut for an interview with the board.
Gilberts Police Lt. Mike Joswick will assume command of the police department until Rossi begins his post as chief March 24, Williams said.