Chief hired to clean up after Gliniewicz scandal retiring
A veteran police chief tasked with cleaning up after the Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz scandal left the Fox Lake Police Department in chaos is retiring.
Interim Chief Russell Laine, who also served as chief in Algonquin and Bartlett, announced he will be leaving the his post June 13, ending a 40-year career in law enforcement.
"I am so proud of the progress we have made to modernize the Fox Lake Police Department," Laine said in an announcement of his retirement. "But all the credit goes to the officers, who embraced change and have done such remarkable work serving our community as we make improvements to enhance public safety and the relationship we have with those we serve."
Mayor Donny Schmit said the village board will appoint Deputy Chief Jimmy Lee as the new permanent chief.
"Chief Laine has spent four decades serving alongside police officers and working to make communities safer," Schmit said. "For that, we are indebted to him and are grateful for his service."
Laine, 66, was appointed interim chief in January 2016, about four months after Gliniewicz was found dead and two months after investigators determined he killed himself to cover up his embezzlement of funds from a youth group. He received a one-year contract to bring stability to the reeling police department, and Lee was brought in as his deputy chief.
Laine and Lee clarified the command structure at the department, updated policies and procedures, and emphasized mentorship. There are now new policies that exist regarding the use of force, reports are reviewed by command personnel for policy compliance, and officers receive monthly training and testing to verify their understanding.
"He was the right person to join the Fox Lake Police Department at the right time," Schmit said.
Lee, 56, served 28 years with the Roselle Police Department, starting as a patrol officer and working his way up to deputy chief and acting police chief. He also is the founder of Gold Shield Investigations, which worked with Fox Lake on several internal investigations of the police department in August 2015.
"It is an honor to be asked to lead the Fox Lake Police Department. Our best asset is the men and women who serve this community with distinction every day," Lee said in a news release. "I am looking forward to working with the community and with our police officers to continue the progress we have made."