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Janowick to replace Semkiu as Mt. Prospect police chief

Mount Prospect Deputy Chief of Field Operations Timothy Janowick is in line to replace Chief Michael Semkiu, who will retire on June 17, Village Manager Michael Janonis announced Thursday.

Semkiu, 52, who has held the chief's job for only two years, said that he plans to spend more time with family and enjoy a less hectic pace of life. He joined the department April 1, 1983.

"It has been a great privilege to have served the residents of Mount Prospect these past 31 years. I feel I've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated law enforcement professionals over the course of my career," he said in a news release.

Janowick is a 19-year veteran of the department. He was promoted to sergeant in February 2003, to operations commander in May 2007 and to deputy chief of field operations in September 2010.

"Although I am saddened Michael has decided to retire, I am excited that we have an exceptionally qualified replacement in Tim Janowick, and I know the department will continue to move forward," Janonis said in the release.

Janowick has a master's degree in business administration and has also completed several police management training programs. He has conducted law enforcement training presentations around the country. He was the department's Officer of the Year in 2000.

"The appointment of Tim as the next chief is a no brainer," Janonis said in the news release.

Janowick said he was grateful for the opportunity.

"(Serving as chief) is something I got more interested in as time went on," Janowick told the Daily Herald on Thursday. "I'm very happy I have the chance to lead this department."

Janowick said that technology has radically changed the law-enforcement profession since he started working in Mount Prospect 19 years ago.

"Not only is crime moving toward technology, with things like identity theft, but technology has become a vital tool for us in fighting crime," he said. "I look forward to helping our department meet the community's 21st-century needs."

When Semkiu was appointed, village officials cited the "deep bench" within the ranks in promoting from within. Thursday, village President Arlene Juracek spoke similarly.

"The Village of Mount Prospect has had, and will continue to have, a police department we can be proud of," she said in the news release. "This is thanks to the culture of leadership and service nurtured by our command staff, and a deep bench strength in our force."

Timothy Janowick
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