From community officer to sergeant, Buffalo Grove officer moves through ranks

This story has been updated to reflect Sgt. Hansen's intiial role with the police department.

Meghan Hansen is Buffalo Grove's newest police sergeant.

Hansen joined the police department in 2008 as a patrol officer, then in 2016, she was assigned to the Community Relations Unit as the police community officer for research and engagement.

She was sworn in to her new rank on Monday, when police Chief Steven Casstevens said "seeing our future leaders promoted" is something he looks forward to.

"This is the first opportunity in my almost 10 years here that I've been able to see the promotion of a female officer to sergeant," he added.

During her time with the department, Hansen also has served as a peer support officer, field training officer, evidence technician and Taser instructor.

Her awards include a unit citation in 2010, outstanding achievement for the fourth quarter of 2018, unit citation for the fourth quarter of 2018, a community policing award for the fourth quarter of 2020 and honorable mention for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Hansen's pin was attached by her husband, Brian. Also on hand were her sons Ben, 7, and Eli, 4, as well as her parents, Larry and Colleen Schlenker, who, she said, "made it through Hurricane Ian" and came up from North Carolina.