Deputy Chief and Lieutenant Receive ILACP Honors

Szos and AndersonThe Buffalo Grove Police Department is proud to announce Deputy Chief Michael Szos and Lieutenant Tara Anderson have been designated as “Certified Eligible Police Chief” by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). This recognition signifies that both Deputy Chief Szos and Lieutenant Anderson have met the highest standards of competency and conduct in their professions. 

To be considered for such an honor, those interested in the certification must meet the ILACP’s criteria for experience, education, professional membership and community involvement. Demonstration of experience in command and executive posts, an educational background that encompasses a continuation of learning and training, and active participation in relevant professional and community organizations is required to achieve this designation. 

Should candidates exhibit the above, they are then allowed to sit for a certification examination which tests their knowledge of managerial concepts, modern policing concepts, law and leading cases, in addition to budgeting principles. 

Finally, both Deputy Chief Szos and Lieutenant Anderson were faced with individual interviews with two active Illinois Police Chiefs and a law enforcement program professor. They were questioned and evaluated on leadership, management, public relations, ethics and other topics relevant to law enforcement. 

Both Deputy Chief Szos and Lieutenant Anderson are among a select few who have been able to meet these stringent requirements since the program’s inception in 1998. 

“The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police has made the Police Chief certification the gold standard for our profession. I’m extremely proud of both Deputy Chief Szos and Lieutenant Anderson for their commitment to achieving this designation,” said Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens.

The two join Deputy Chief Scott Eisenmenger as “Certified Eligible Police Chief”, along with Chief Steven Casstevens, who is considered a “Certified Police Chief” due to his rank.