Hoffman Estates’ pick for police chief a ‘no-brainer’

Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod called the promotion of acting Police Chief Mike Hish to the permanent post a “no brainer.”

It was no surprise when McLeod swore in Hish as the village’s top cop Monday, ending his stint as acting chief which started in September. Hish replaces Clinton Herdegen, who retired and took the police chief’s job in Libertyville.

Hish, a 25-year veteran of the department, thanked Village Manager James Norris, who made the decision on the promotion.

“Residents shouldn’t expect any difference in our services, we’re going to continue to maintain the high quality of service that we’ve had in the past and currently,” Hish said.

Herdegen was present at Monday’s board meeting, as was former Assistant Police Chief Steven Casstevens, who recently left for the police chief’s job in Cary. Casstevens was Hish’s main competition for the chief’s job. Former Assistant Chief Bob Syre, who retired in 2000, also was on hand.

In a corresponding move, McLeod swore in Lt. Ted Bos as assistant police chief. The department now has one assistant chief and three lieutenants as Bos moves up. Bos joined the police department on the same day as Hish in January 1985.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with and for a lot of great people, and hopefully I can take that knowledge and be successful in this position,” Bos said.

McLeod described Bos as Herdegen’s “go-to guy,” and said he’s had to handle many tough assignments. While Norris made the appointment, Hish recommended Bos for the promotion. Bos handled crime alerts and investigations as a lieutenant.

Trustees praised the police department for having qualified candidates worthy of a promotion, allowing Norris to make internal hires.

“It continues the tradition of promotion from within,” McLeod said. “Hish gives us continuity and experience in the department.”

When the village hired Herdegen, there were some rumblings about his qualifications because he lacked a college degree. The village board took away the degree requirement in 1996 to make it easier for fire department personnel to be promoted. McLeod said the board could look into revising those requirements again in the future.

The night wasn’t without some laughs.

While McLeod was administering the oath to Bos, the new assistant chief accidentally said he was being sworn in for Hish’s job, as police chief. Those words drew a loud roar of laughter from many police officers standing in the audience.