advertisement

Buffalo Grove honors police department’s finest

Buffalo Grove honored its finest this week with the recognition of its police department’s employee of the year award.

This year’s recipient was Sgt. Scott Eisenmenger, who has been with the department for 18 years.

His selection was based on his excellent work as the department’s training coordinator, officials said.

“It’s very humbling, but I’m also very honored to be able to get this award,” Eisenmenger said. “I’m voted for this award by my peers.”

Former Buffalo Grove Village Manager William Balling presented the award at Monday’s village board meeting on behalf of the award’s sponsor, the Buffalo Grove Rotary

“Training is much more complex than it was in the early years of policing,” he noted.

Officials also issued special commendations to two other members of the police department, Cmdr. Tom Reed and civilian employee Effie Harris.

Reed, a 25-year veteran who works in the patrol division, was singled out by Police Chief Steve Balinski for his flexibility and dedication, evidenced by instances of him showing up for evening and midnight shifts when an extra a supervisor is needed.

“As the board is aware, over the past two to three years, we have faced significant challenges in staffing,” Balinski said, adding that proper supervision and staffing requirements have been met, “based upon Tom’s vision and his adaptability.”

“I really appreciate it, but it really goes to the men and the women of the Buffalo Grove police department,” Reed said of the commendation. “They’re the ones that do the hard work out there.”

Harris provides technical support in a number of areas involving computers. She works with Northwest Central Dispatch on computer aided dispatch systems, and has worked with the village’s finance and information technology departments this past year on the successful integration of the New World System.

“Knowing that I’m helping out our officers on the front lines, trying to make their day easier, it’s rewarding to me. And that’s what matters in the long run,” Harris said.

  Cmdr. Tom Reed Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
  Officer Scott Eisenmenger Steve Zalusky/szalusky@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.