Mount Prospect swears in new police chief, leadership team

Mount Prospect ushered in a new era in village law enforcement Tuesday with the swearing-in of a new police chief and his leadership team.

Department veteran Michael Eterno took the oath as chief, succeeding John Koziol, who retired after four years at the helm.

Also sworn in were Deputy Chief Joseph Garris, Cmdr. Joseph Kanupke and Sgt. Dirk Ollech.

Eterno previously served as acting chief between the resignation of former Chief Tim Janowick in 2017 and the hiring of Koziol.

"It is my hope we can build upon many of the accomplishments and initiatives that were started under (Koziol's) leadership," Eterno said. "I know I have big shoes to fill."

He began his career as an officer in Mount Prospect in 1997 and was voted Officer of the Year in 1999.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2004, commander in 2010 and deputy chief of operations in 2014.

Eterno said he will have the help of "an incredibly dedicated and talented team of law enforcement professionals who are committed to public safety" and listed community engagement as one of his top priorities.

Garris will take over Eterno's position of deputy chief of operations.

A 21-year veteran of the force, his tasks have included serving as a sergeant in a special operations unit that overseas drug investigations and as investigative commander.

Kanupke is also a 21-year veteran of the department. His background includes several years as a truck enforcement officer, and he is the department's rangemaster, making sure the department's 83 officers receive the most current and relevant firearms training.

Ollech, who has been with the department for 20 years, has worked in the crime prevention unit and most recently in the investigative section.

An Officer of the Year award winner in 2011, he has been an arson investigator and worked with the Major Case Assistance Team. He also has employed his talents as a police composite artist, helping several neighboring police departments by sitting down with victims of crimes and helping them create images of offenders.