Gurnee police officers promoted
Recently, two officers of the Gurnee Police Department were promoted to the highest spots in the department.
Kristina Kovarik, Gurnee's mayor, swore in Brian Smith as the new Gurnee Police Chief, and Jesse Gonzalez as Deputy Police Chief. Smith had been acting as the interim chief, and Gonzalez was serving as acting deputy. Promotions like this give people an opportunity to redesign their business cards.
Chief Smith was first employed by Gurnee in 2000. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in 2014, he was again promoted, this time to patrol commander. In 2017, he was named deputy chief, and when Chief Kevin Woodside retired, village officials named Smith to the post of interim chief, a position he has held since January, 2019.
During his career, Chief Smith has worked as an evidence technician, firearms instructor, rapid deployment instructor, and field training officer, among other positions.
Deputy Chief Gonzalez joined the Gurnee Police in 1988, where he worked patrol until 1999. At that time, he was promoted to the rank of detective. He served in this position for 15 years, and in 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Investigations Commander. In 2018, he was named to the post of Acting Deputy Chief of Operations.
Deputy Chief Gonzalez was with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force for 11 years. During that time, he was an investigator, then became a lead supervisor, then an assistant commander, and finally a task force commander.
Kristina Kovarik, Gurnee's mayor, swore in Brian Smith as the new Gurnee Police Chief, and Jesse Gonzalez as Deputy Police Chief. Smith had been acting as the interim chief, and Gonzalez was serving as acting deputy. Promotions like this give people an opportunity to redesign their business cards.
Chief Smith was first employed by Gurnee in 2000. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in 2014, he was again promoted, this time to patrol commander. In 2017, he was named deputy chief, and when Chief Kevin Woodside retired, village officials named Smith to the post of interim chief, a position he has held since January, 2019.
During his career, Chief Smith has worked as an evidence technician, firearms instructor, rapid deployment instructor, and field training officer, among other positions.
Deputy Chief Gonzalez joined the Gurnee Police in 1988, where he worked patrol until 1999. At that time, he was promoted to the rank of detective. He served in this position for 15 years, and in 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Investigations Commander. In 2018, he was named to the post of Acting Deputy Chief of Operations.
Deputy Chief Gonzalez was with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force for 11 years. During that time, he was an investigator, then became a lead supervisor, then an assistant commander, and finally a task force commander.