South Elgin names Krawczyk as new top cop

South Elgin's new police chief Jerry Krawczyk said he's honored to be leading such "an exceptional staff of officers."

Krawczyk started with the police department in 1996 as a patrol officer, and has been serving as the village's interim police chief since former top cop Chris Merritt retired Sept. 9. Prior to that, Krawczyk was deputy chief since 2005.

A committee consisting of Village President Steve Ward and Trustees Lisa Guess and Jennifer Barconi interviewed four in-house candidates for the position over the past two weeks. The process marked the first time the village interviewed candidates for the position instead of just appointing someone, Ward said.

"They were all more qualified than I could have ever expected," Ward said. "They're a bunch of bright guys."

Candidates were given two questions before their interviews and were allowed to bring prepared answers with them. The committee decided on Krawczyk Monday night and notified him and the other candidates after that.

Ward describes Krawczyk as "competent" and "knowledgeable."

"When the chief is there, you really never get to see what the deputy chief does," Ward said. "We realized Jerry really can shine when the time came to be."

In his time with the department, Krawczyk also served as a detective and sergeant.

Krawczyk will get to choose a deputy chief once he is sworn in, and says he plans to interview internal candidates for the position.

Krawczyk says he looks forward to working with the village board which "supports not only the police department, but other departments in the village," and is honored to have been chosen as South Elgin's top cop.

"We have an exceptional staff of officers who do a great job day after day," Krawczyk said.