Antioch mayor appoints new police chief

Antioch officials named a new police chief: former St. Charles Deputy Chief Steven J. Huffman.

Huffman takes over for interim chief John Laskowski, who has led the department since Craig Somerville left to become police chief in Lake Villa.

Mayor Lawrence M. Hanson appointed Huffman, a 22-year veteran of the St. Charles Police Department, at a meeting this week. Huffman served six years as deputy chief there.

Huffman has a bachelor's degree criminal justice administration and also graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He has training as a hostage negotiator and as a master control tactics instructor.

Huffman will be sworn in at the Aug. 17 village board meeting.