Jan. 09--The village of Fox Lake has hired a new interim police chief, a nearly 40-year law enforcement veteran who most recently led the Algonquin Police Department.
Russell B. Laine, who has served as chief of three police departments, will be sworn in at a Fox Lake Village Board meeting Tuesday evening, village officials said in a statement Friday.
Laine is replacing Michael Keller, a deputy chief at the Lake County sheriff's office, who came to Fox Lake "on loan" after a tumultuous period in the department last fall.
In the two weeks leading up to Sept. 1, Fox Lake's police department saw the launch of an internal investigation, the resignation of its chief and the fatal shooting, later ruled a suicide, of a top lieutenant.
Fox Lake's former chief, Michael Behan, retired after being placed on leave amid an internal probe into how the department handled a scuffle between an officer and a man who was arrested in December 2014. Three officers who acknowledged wrongdoing in the incident received suspensions last month.
Days after Behan's departure, Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz was fatally shot in what authorities ultimately ruled a suicide, saying he feared years of alleged criminal activity would soon be exposed.
"More than anything, we need to bring proven leadership and stability to the FLPD so we can implement changes to modernize the department and ensure that we are doing everything we can to deliver professional and effective public safety services to our residents," Village Administrator Anne Marrin said in a statement.
A panel including Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit, Trustee Jeff Jensen, Lake County Undersheriff Ray Rose, Keller and Marrin unanimously chose Laine from a pool of dozens of applicants, according to the statement from the village.
"It's an honor to be asked to serve the residents of Fox Lake and to work alongside Fox Lake police officers," said Laine, 65. "I am fully aware of the very real challenges that this community and its police department have faced in recent months. It is my job to work every day to help our officers deliver on their primary mission, which is to serve our residents admirably. We will set this department on a course for long-term success. So, while making sure we're delivering on our day-to-day duties, we'll also be taking a fresh look at the department's policies, procedures and its overall crime-fighting strategy with an eye towards improving in all areas."
According to an Illinois House resolution honoring Laine after his retirement as Algonquin police chief in 2014, Laine was born in Waukegan and is an Army veteran who earned three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart while serving as an infantry medic in the Vietnam War.
He worked as a paramedic at Memorial Hospital of DuPage County in the 1970s before switching to a career in law enforcement, working as a police officer in Streamwood and Bartlett, eventually becoming Bartlett's chief, according to the resolution.
He also served as police chief in Edgerton, Wis., between 1982 and 1985, when he was appointed police chief in Algonquin.
Marrin has said the village intended to select an interim chief to oversee reforms before selecting the person they want to lead the department for the long haul.
The village and Laine have agreed on a one-year contract, which could be extended, according to the statement.
"Our residents expect and deserve top-notch leaders delivering what is our most important service, which is keeping our community safe. We are looking forward to working closely with Chief Laine in the coming months to continue the progress we have made in recent months to update our policies and procedures, bring needed training and resources to our officers, and update our overall efforts to keep Fox Lake safe," Schmit said in the statement.
lzumbach@tribpub.com
