TIMOTHY J. GRIFFIN
Mokena,IL
Summary
Well-rounded police chief with a wealth of training and experience in various facets of department leadership, crime reduction, public relations and community service. Known for very sound judgment; upholds the highest standards of tactical methods and strategies to minimize risks and maximize protection of self, team and public. Recognized for improving public safety and reducing crime due to a high level of competency as well as strong leadership qualities with an emphasis on community policing. Proactive strategist; able to effectively and consistently meet the needs of the community; exceptional record of building strategic partnerships throughout the community and with other agencies. Demonstrated ability to utilize resources for maximum effect and develop innovative solutions to procedural, technological, personnel and public communication needs. FBI National Academy Graduate, Certified Chief of Police - Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Police
Village of La Grange Police Department
08.2023 - Current
- Championed officer wellness initiatives focusing on mental health support, physical fitness programs, and stress management strategies to promote overall well-being among personnel.
- Managed a multi-million-dollar budget, consistently delivering services within fiscal constraints while maximizing available resources for crime prevention efforts.
- Implemented community-oriented policing initiatives, strengthening trust between officers and citizens.
- Spearheaded successful recruitment campaigns, attracting highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to join the force.
- Increased staff retention by providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and career advancement within the department.
- Improved community safety by implementing proactive policing strategies and fostering strong relationships with local organizations.
- Developed comprehensive training programs to ensure officer preparedness, resulting in increased professionalism and performance.
- Effectively led investigations, ensured safety protocols were followed, and handled high-pressure situations.
- Enhanced departmental efficiency with streamlined processes and updated technology systems.
- Introduced innovative traffic enforcement strategies that reduced motor vehicle accidents thereby enhancing road safety for all users in the jurisdiction.
Deputy Chief of Police: Administrative & Support Services Div.
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
06.2014 - Current
- Manage the daily operation of the police department’s Administrative, Training, Information Technology and Records sections, including an 88-member team of sworn officers and 25 civilian employees. Charged with planning/managing annual operating budgets, hiring sworn officers and civilian personnel, facilitating continuous police department training and providing performance reviews and promotions. Full executive accountability for all internal investigations, maintenance/management of department equipment and vehicle fleet and development of process improvement initiatives and community engagement campaigns.
- Develop, research and submit proposals for the annual budget and grant opportunities, and administer the department’s $21 million+ budget in alignment with the village’s strategic plan.
- Participate in contract negotiations with multiple unions and collaborate with collective bargaining units to develop solutions to CBA issues.
- Create department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
- Develop and implement DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives.
- Manage payroll, inventory control and purchasing of all department supplies and equipment.
- Highlights:
- Oversaw the purchase and implementation of body-worn cameras to promote officer accountability and cultivate/maintain public trust.
- Implemented an outcome-based performance model and evaluation system emphasizing community engagement and officer accountability in alignment with organizational goals.
- Enhanced community and diversity engagement by co-planning the inaugural “Celebration of Cultures” festival with the park district, human services department and chamber of commerce.
- Key participant in the space needs study, purchase and design of a $30 million police facility in collaboration with the village building department, architects and construction company.
- Instituted electronic reporting solutions and department-wide process improvements which reduced report processing turnaround time in the records section from three weeks to 24 hours.
- Championed several Lexipol policy improvements that successfully met ILEAP accreditation requirements.
- Initiated new software technologies for employee performance management, recognition and coaching/mentoring, as well as enterprise-wide communication.
- Created and implemented a new peer support program to promote wellness among officers and their families.
- Launched an administrative adjudication program and developed a fine structure for local ordinances with the village legal team.
- Researched and implemented a comprehensive LPR (license plate reader) solution for public safety enhancement and parking enforcement.
- Implemented an online/digital citation, crash, traffic stop and pedestrian stop system.
Administrative Sergeant
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
06.2013 - 06.2014
- Responsible for managing the daily operation of the department’s administrative division, including the department’s training program.
- Oversaw all aspects of department-wide training, evaluated training needs of officers/employees, and assigned/administered necessary training and development.
- Presented to the city council and community groups concerning a wide range of department and community concerns.
- Partnered with the executive team for strategic planning and assisted in writing/creating department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
- Highlights:
- Planned and directed a five-year IT plan for capital improvements to facilitate contemporary technology solutions and enhanced police operations (continued this plan following promotion).
- Spearheaded a department-wide CIT (crisis intervention training) initiative where all officers completed comprehensive training to address and serve citizens with mental illness.
Police Patrol Sergeant
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
03.2009 - 06.2013
- Provided leadership and direction to sworn officers and civilian employees in the completion of patrols, traffic safety campaigns and crime-fighting programs. Responsible for implementing practices to improve awareness, increase safety, reduce crime and minimize risk for civilians and officers alike.
Police Detective
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2006 - 08.2007
- Performed felony, misdemeanor and death investigations, specializing in juvenile cases of suspected abuse and neglect. Investigated crimes against citizens, businesses and the community utilizing surveillance, evidence gathering and in-depth reports to establish a trail of criminal responsibility for each case.
Police Detective / School Resource Officer
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
05.2001 - 06.2005
- Patrolled all areas of Prospect High School (Township District #214) and another alternative special education school, building collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and students.
Police Patrol Officer
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
04.1998 - 05.2001
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Organizational Leadership
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Chicago, Illinois01-2016
Graduate Certificate - Public Budgeting & Financial Management
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Chicago, Illinois01-2006
Master of Arts - Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Macomb, Illinois01-2003
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY
Chicago, Illinois01-1997
Skills
- Emergency management
- Strategic leadership
- Community engagement
- Labor relations
- Operational planning
- Decision-making
- Effective communication
- Crisis management
- Community relations
- Budget management
- Team building
- Collaborative approach
Affiliations
- FBI National Academy Associates – Associate Member
- FBI National Academy Associates, Illinois Chapter – Associate Member
- The Greater Cook County Police Captain’s Association – President (2017-2018), Associate Member
- International Association of Chiefs of Police – Associate Member
- Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police – Associate Member
- Northwest Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police – Associate Member
- Police Executive Research Forum – Associate Member
AWARDS
The Greater Cook County Police Captains Association President’s Award, 6/2018, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Executive Leadership Award, 12/2017
PUBLICATIONS & RESEARCH
- “An Exploration of Executive Leadership Practices and Performance Systems that Maximize Performance Outcomes in Municipal Police Organizations”. (2016). Doctoral Dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, Illinois.
- “The Importance of Intergovernmental Collaboration in Preventing School Violence in America”. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 4:5 (September 2004), 71-87.
- “Racial Profiling and Policy Implications for Illinois Law Enforcement Executives”. (2003). Master’s Thesis, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, Quantico, Virginia FBI National Academy, 2022 (Class #284)
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, Evanston, Illinois Executive Management Program, 2017 (Class #44)
- POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM, Boston, Massachusetts Senior Management Institute for Police, 2015 (Session #59)
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, Evanston, Illinois School of Police Staff & Command, 2012 (Class #330)
- ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING & STANDARDS BOARD EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE, Macomb, Illinois Transformation to Leadership – Effective Police Supervision, 2010
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, Evanston, Illinois Supervision of Police Personnel, 2009
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois 9/2004-Present
- LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, Chicago, Illinois 1/2017-10/2019
- LEWIS UNIVERSITY, Romeoville, Illinois 1/2010-10/2018 Adjunct Professor Instruct students across both online and on-campus undergraduate and graduate-level courses in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Administration programs. Responsible for lesson plans and exercises that encourage growth in critical thinking, research and subject literacy skills. Courses taught include: Research Methods
- Police Leadership
- Public Budgeting
- Ethics & Professionalism in Criminal Justice
- Racial Profiling in the Criminal Justice System
- Criminology
- Police Administration
- Sex Crimes
- Multi-Cultural Law Enforcement
- Probation, Parole & Community Corrections
- Criminal Investigation
- Juvenile Justice
- Law Enforcement & Society
- Community Policing
- Criminal Justice Administration
Timeline
Chief of Police
Village of La Grange Police Department
08.2023 - Current
Deputy Chief of Police: Administrative & Support Services Div.
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
06.2014 - Current
Administrative Sergeant
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
06.2013 - 06.2014
Police Patrol Sergeant
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
03.2009 - 06.2013
Police Detective
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
01.2006 - 08.2007
Police Detective / School Resource Officer
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
05.2001 - 06.2005
Police Patrol Officer
MOUNT PROSPECT POLICE DEPARTMENT
04.1998 - 05.2001
Graduate Certificate - Public Budgeting & Financial Management
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
Master of Arts - Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Philosophy - Organizational Leadership
THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY