Mount Prospect police chief retires, ends 27-year tenure in village

Mount Prospect Police Chief John Dahlberg will retire effective June 5, ending a 27-year tenure that saw him rise through the department’s ranks to its top spot.

Village Manager Michael Janonis confirmed Tuesday that Dahlberg, who has served as chief since March 2007, will be leaving this summer.

Janonis said he will promote Deputy Chief Michael Semkiu, a 28-year department veteran, to succeed Dahlberg.

“While I am saddened to see the chief leave, I am excited that we have such a qualified replacement in Michael Semkiu and feel the department will not miss a beat moving forward,” Janonis said.

Dahlberg, 52, said he made a five-year commitment to the village when he succeeded Richard Eddington as chief in 2007. He said he first gave Janonis notice of his plans in an October letter that expressed his gratitude “for your faith and confidence in me over these many years.”

“You extended to me the privilege of leading one of the finest municipal law enforcement organizations in the region, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities you have made available to me,” Dahlberg’s letter states.

“I have heard it said many times over the course of my career that Mount Prospect is filled with many unique and good people,” the letter continues. “I will always consider Mount Prospect to be my second hometown.”

Dahlberg said he believes the time is right to move on to the next chapter in his life.

“I have no immediate plans to do anything other than enjoy my family and a slower pace of life,” he said, adding that he does not plan to move to another position in law enforcement.

Dahlberg, who grew up in Rockford, joined the department on April 1, 1985, after his mother found a newspaper article stating Mount Prospect was looking for police officers.

In 1990, he received the department’s Officer of the Year honors. He received the Cook County Sheriff’s Award of Valor for Heroism and Bravery in 2001.

Dahlberg was promoted to sergeant in January 1993, to patrol commander in August 2001 and deputy chief of field operations in March 2003.

One of the things Dahlberg said he is most proud of is the department’s commitment to professional development.

“This is an organization with a very deep bench,” he said. “The department has some of the brightest, best educated police administrators and upper managers you’re going to find in any police department around here.”

Semkiu has served as deputy chief of administrative support services since July 2004 and previously held the ranks of sergeant and commander. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a law degree from the John Marshall Law School.

“I am extremely honored and grateful for the confidence placed in me by the village manager, mayor and board of trustees,” Semkiu said in a statement released by the village. “It is truly a privilege to be associated with the men and women of the Mount Prospect Police Department. I look forward to ensuring the high level of services provided by the Police Department continues.”

Mayor Irvana Wilks said she and village trustees support the selection of Semkiu as Mount Prospect’s next police chief.

“Michael Semkiu will make an excellent Police Chief,” Wilks said in a news release. “Because the Village of Mount Prospect prides itself on hiring the best, we can take advantage of an internal succession plan that allows for continuation of this or any department when it undergoes such a retirement. As chief, Michael Semkiu with his outstanding knowledge of the Police Department and commitment to Mount Prospect will continue the same level of professionalism we have grown to expect.”