Gurnee police chief to retire after 25 years of service

Gurnee Police Chief Brian Smith recently announced his retirement effective Dec. 1, after more than 25 years of service to the village police department.

Smith joined the department in 2000. He rose through the ranks becoming a patrol sergeant in 2010, a patrol commander in 2014, deputy chief in 2017 and chief in 2019.

“Serving this community has been the greatest privilege of my professional life,” Smith said. “My passion has been to serve others. While I will continue to do so in new ways, I feel deep gratitude and emotion as I close this chapter in my career. I am profoundly honored to have worked alongside such dedicated professionals and to have served the residents of Gurnee for the past six-plus years as police chief.”

Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood said he will recommend the village board appoint Deputy Chief Jeremy Gaughan to succeed Smith. Gaughan has served with the department since 2002 and has been a member of the command staff since 2018.

Hood said Smith’s commitment to excellence “has been an inspiration” to the village.

“Throughout his entire career and time as chief, Brian has led with integrity, humility, selflessness and a genuine desire to serve others,” Hood said. “He stressed integrity, customer service, transparency and technology, all aimed at improving relationships and increasing public safety and the safety of Gurnee’s officers.”

During his tenure, Smith’s leadership and resourcefulness in facing policing challenges, including civil unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, helped the village emerge stronger, Hood said.

Under Smith’s command, the department has increased staffing and diversity, expanded community engagement initiatives, and enhanced crime prevention and outreach, according to a department news release.

Smith established a recruitment and retention team and police officer mentors. Staffing has increased from 62 to 72 sworn officers and five school resource officers. Representation of women, veterans and officers from diverse backgrounds increased from 24 to 54.

His other achievements include establishing the Lake County First Responder Expo, reintroducing the citizen and youth police academies, a Visitor Oriented Policing Team, and launching new programs such as public safety compliance officer, the “Helmets for All” bike safety initiative, a fishing derby and back-to-school ice cream social.

The department also has created a wellness coordinator position and introduced the Cordico Wellness App, a program aimed at addressing emotional and mental health, family well-being, financial literacy, physical fitness, and nutrition.

“The goal of any leader is to leave an organization with a strong legacy, positive future and in capable hands,” Smith said. “Together, our team has achieved this.”