History

The Village of Hanover Park was incorporated on August 14, 1958 with a population of 305. Clyde West was appointed the first Police Chief. He used his house as the village’s first Police Department. His house was located at the southeast corner of Evergreen and Church. He resigned in February 1959.

Department Personnel 1966

Carl Ahlstrand, a trustee, volunteered to take his place as acting Chief. Chief Ahlstrand was tragically killed on February 22, 1959 when a semi-truck struck him after he had pulled over a speeding car in the area of Lake and Walnut. While Chief Ahlstrand was questioning the two people in the car, a semi-truck driver lost control of his truck and smashed into the two cars killing Chief Ahlstrand and the two people in the speeding car. Chief Ahlstrand's name is on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Panel 15, W-3). The year Chief Ahlstrand died 102 other officers nationwide were killed in the line of duty.

Walter Cliff who was with Chief Ahlstrand at the time of the crash and had been injured in that crash was then appointed to serve as the village’s third Police Chief.

In 1960, the police department was moved to a barn on Irving Park Road. The village population of Hanover Park had reached 451. In 1962, Walter Cliff resigned and the one time full-time Police, Officer Sam Polotto, was appointed Chief of Police. He remained Chief until 1976.During 1962, the village population reached 1,845.

2121 West Lake Street

In 1963, the population of Hanover Park grew to 3,713. In 1964, the Police Department moved into a small white house at 2121 West Lake Street. The Village Hall occupied the same building. By 1965, the population was at 6,620.

A 1969 photo of retired Lieutenant Raoul Hill driving a 1966 Pontiac Catalina.

In 1970, the salary for the Chief of Police was $11,900.The starting salary for a police officer was $8,500.

1970s

In 1971, the business corridor along Irving Park Road was taking shape with businesses such as Brown’s Chicken, Chicken Unlimited, Tri-Village Inn, Eagle Discount Store, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts and K-mart.

1700 Jensen

In 1973 the Police Department moved to 1700 Jensen. The Village Hall was left behind at 2121 West Lake Street.

In 1975 the salary for the Chief of Police was $21,984. The starting salary for a Lieutenant was $14,892. The starting salary for a Sergeant was $13,512. The starting salary for a Police Officer was $11,664.

The current police department and village hall at 2121 West Lake Street.

In 1976 the Police Department moved back to 2121 West Lake Street. It was decided that it would be better if the Police Department was located in the same building as the Village Hall.

Department Sworn Personnel 1981

Commander Gary Altergott is appointed
Chief of Police in 1992.

In 1992, Commander Gary Altergott was appointed as Chief of Police and remained Chief until 1997. Phillip Bue was then appointed Police Chief in 1997 to replace Chief Gary Altergott . Chief Bue served as Chief of Police for eleven months. Ron Moser was then appointed as Chief of Police in 1998 and is the current Police Chief.

The Hanover Park Police Department first received Accreditation status in 2001 under Chief Moser.

The accreditation had been a long time goal for the department, and put the Hanover Park Police Department among only three percent of the 18,700 police agencies in the United States to reach this objective. To gain accreditation, the department had to comply with hundreds of standards and pass an on-site assessment, conducted in August 2001.

November 2001—First CALEA accreditation for the department in San Diego

The CALEA assessors ranked the Hanover Park Police Department second to none in crime analysis procedures, and were also helpful in pointing out ways to sharpen various processes even further.

In 1999, the department added a canine unit which brought the total sworn officers to 49.

In 2004, the department was reaccredited by CALEA and this accreditation is valid for three years.

In 2006, a traffic unit was added which increased the sworn officers to today's 52 sworn positions. The department also currently has twenty full time and twenty-two part time civilian positions. They are divided between the Administration, Support Services and Operations Divisions.

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HANOVER PARK POLICE'S HISTORY MUSEUM.

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Village of Hanover Park
2121 West Lake Street
Hanover Park, IL  60133
(630) 372-4200
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Thursday, 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

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