Schaumburg names Provenzano first female deputy police chief

The Schaumburg Police Department has named Kristine Provenzano - a nearly 30-year veteran of the force - as its first female deputy chief.

Provenzano succeeds Bill Wolf, who was appointed chief in May.

Provenzano most recently served as a commander, but was previously a lieutenant, sergeant, detective, evidence technician and patrol officer during her law enforcement career.

"The Schaumburg Police Department has a proud history of leadership dedicated to professionalism and excellent service to the community," Provenzano said in a written statement. "I am honored to have this opportunity to lead the men and women of the department and serve the community."

Among her responsibilities will be managing the patrol, investigations and special operations units. She also will work with Wolf in developing the department's annual budget and long-range plans.

In a statement of his own, Wolf said, "I am grateful for the service Commander Provenzano has provided to the department and to the Schaumburg community throughout her career. Her qualifications and level of expertise made her an excellent choice to fill this role, and I am confident the department will be in good hands moving forward with Deputy Chief Provenzano."

Before her law enforcement career, Provenzano graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and then was a police reporter for the Daily Herald.

She joined the Schaumburg Police Department in October 1989 and has since risen through the ranks. She completed the course at the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command in 2002.

Wolf was Elgin's interim police chief before he became deputy chief in Schaumburg last August, with the strong expectation that he would succeed then-chief Jim Lamkin upon his retirement sometime in 2019.

Lamkin officially retired in early May and Wolf was appointed chief a few weeks later, leaving the deputy chief position vacant.