Bartlett police chief quits to take Hanover Twp. job

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

BARTLETT ­— On Valentine’s Day, for the first time since the 1970s, Dan Palmer will be going to work somewhere besides the Bartlett police station.

The village of Bartlett announced Wednesday that Palmer will leave his job as police chief on Feb. 11. On Tuesday evening, the Hanover Township Board voted unanimously to appoint him to be the township’s full-time chief of emergency services beginning Feb. 14.

At the township, Palmer will replace retiring Emergency Services Director Robert Page, who will aid in the transition by staying on the job for two weeks after Palmer takes over.

“I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to the positive developments I can bring to the future of the unit,” Palmer said.

The director of emergency services oversees the day-to-day operations of 21 volunteers who work with emergencies ranging from floods, tornadoes and terrorist attacks to bringing aid to fire victims. They assist local police and fire departments and in some cases work on their own.

Village Administrator Valerie Salmons said Deputy Chief Kent Williams will serve as acting police chief until the village hires a permanent replacement for Palmer.

Palmer joined the Bartlett Police Department as a patrol officer in 1979 and steadily moved up the ranks until the retirement of Chief William McHugh in October 1993. Palmer was appointed acting chief and then given full responsibility for the department on April 14, 1994.

“Palmer’s tenure in Bartlett is distinguished by the department’s growth, in both size and professionalism,” Salmons said. “In 1995, the department had fewer than 40 sworn officers. Today, it has 55 sworn officers, as well as 17 full-time civilian personnel, four part-time personnel and 45 seasonal employees.”

Salmons recalled that not long after his appointment as chief, Palmer applied for accreditation of the department by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. The department spent the next two years working to ensure that all aspects of the department’s operations — from fiscal management to criminal investigations to crime prevention and community relations — could meet the commission’s minimum accepted standards. The department was first accredited by CALEA on Nov. 22, 1997, and has been re-accredited each subsequent term that it has been up for review.

“Dan leaves a legacy of integrity and professionalism,” Salmons said. “His leadership over the years shaped the department into an organization in which we take great pride. We wish Dan and his family all the best as he moves on to this next chapter in his career.”

“The board is very excited to bring Dan over into this position,” Township Supervisor Brian McGuire said. “His many years of experience and relationships with law enforcement officials in and around the township will be a valuable asset for the unit.”

McGuire noted that during Page’s time as director, the unit tripled in size, added five emergency services vehicles and moved into its field operations center, Station 1, last October.

“Bob’s hard work and leadership have really made the unit what it is today,” McGuire said. “The board appreciates the service Bob has given to the township and we will always be grateful for his dedication.”