Mount Prospect police promote four to new posts

It was the beginning of a new chapter for four Mount Prospect police officers, who were officially promoted at Tuesday’s village board meeting.

But for one of them, Anthony Lietzow, it was a chance to rewrite a chapter that had taken a wrong turn.

Lietzow was promoted to sergeant, while Joseph Kanupke was promoted to deputy chief, William Ryan to commander and Andrea Kane to sergeant.

Lietzow, who was hired by the village in 2004, had earned three Officer of the Year honors and earned a promotion to sergeant in 2014.

But in 2015, he was arrested and accused of fighting with a family member, and then a police officer during a domestic disturbance at his Huntley home, allegations he denied.

A McHenry County jury acquitted Lietzow of aggravated battery to a peace officer and resisting arrest. A charge of aggravated domestic battery was dismissed just before the trial began.

But Lietzow, who had been placed on unpaid administrative leave in 2015, agreed to return to the force as a patrol officer in 2016.

“I am eager to put these allegations behind me and get back to work. I look forward to continuing to build on my distinguished career here in Mount Prospect,” he said at the time.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Mount Prospect police Chief Michael Eterno praised Lietzow’s performance, especially as a mentor.

“One of the areas where Tony has distinguished himself is through his work as a field training officer,” he said. “I've had the ability to see some of the bodycam video. I will tell you, he sincerely seems to enjoy helping new officers grow and develop.”

Kanupke will oversee the administrative side of the police department. A 24-year veteran, Kanupke has served in various capacities, including patrol officer, detective, sergeant and commander. He was selected as Officer of the Year in 2008.

Ryan will oversee the afternoon patrol shift. A 17-year veteran with the force, he was named Officer of the Year in both 2017 and 2018. He serves as an FBI-certified crisis negotiator and received recognition in 2018 from the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association for his work on a local murder case.

Kane is also a 17-year veteran. She was Officer of the Year in 2019 and helped organize the department's annual 5K Fun Run community event.

Eterno also mentioned Kane’s promotion is a milestone for the department.

“This will be the first time in department history that we will have four female sergeants on the department at the same time,” he said.