Crime & Safety

Lake Bluff Names New Police Chief

Deputy Chief David Belmonte has been promoted to the police department's top spot.

Lake Bluff's deputy police chief has been tapped as the department's new chief.

David D. Belmonte was recently selected by the Village Board. He was among 123 applicants for the department's top spot.

Belmonte has served as the village's deputy police chief since 2007. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia College (Columbia, Mo.) and a master's degree in management and leadership from Webster University (St. Louis). He has also completed a number of specialized training programs including the School of Police Staff and Command and Supervision of Police Personnel at the Center for Public Safety at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Va. In addition, he is certified by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police as a certified "eligible" police chief.

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"We were extremely impressed with David's credentials, his local experience, his reputation within the law enforcement community, and his involvement with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). David's wealth of knowledge and positive experiences in Lake Bluff will serve us well," said Village President Kathy O'Hara. 

Village Administrator Drew Irvin added, "David will be a great addition to the management team, and I believe he is prepared for the challenges that await him." 

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Belmonte will succeed Police Chief William Gallagher, who is retiring from the village after 12 years of service as chief and more than 40 years of law enforcement experience.

"Belmonte's 24 years of experience serving village residents and businesses has established him as a respected and trusted law enforcement professional," the Village of Lake Bluff said in a press release. "His experience as a Gold Standard Assessment Team Leader with CALEA has provided him with exposure to law enforcement best practices around North America and resulted in improved departmental policies and procedures here in Lake Bluff. Mr. Belmonte has been recognized by the Illinois Police Accreditation Coalition for his service as Vice President of the state organization, honored by CALEA with the Commission of Accreditation Assessor Service Award for 20 years of service to CALEA, and he received the Lake Bluff Police Department Lifesaving Award for the rescue of a Union Pacific employee who had been struck by a train in 1995."

The 123 applicants were first vetted by Deerfield-based Voorhees and Associates, a consultant hired by the village. A panel of community members narrowed the number of candidates to five, who then completed an intense skill assessment center. The top two performers at the assessment center were then interviewed by the village president, Village Board and village administrator. In the end, Belmonte was the village's unanimous choice to serve as Lake Bluff's next police chief.


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