Anthony Ambrose, who has served with the Oak Park Police Department for over 30 years, has been named the village's new police chief.
According to the city's website, Ambrose has been serving since 2005 as deputy police chief. He will replace Chief Rick Tanklsey, who plans to retire September 1.
Cara Pavlicek, the village manager, said Ambrose provides “continuity and hands-on knowledge of the police department.” She adds that he has longstanding working relationships with citizens and community groups, making him the ideal person to take over the department. She sees the appointment as a “seamless transfer” of the duties of the police chief, and adds that promoting Ambrose opens up the spot of deputy police chief.
Ambrose says the promotion is the highlight of his career in law enforcement, and he plans to continue what he describes as a “community oriented approach” to enforcing laws that has enabled a true partnership to form between the Oak Park Police Department and the village residents.
Ambrose joined the department in 1984, starting as a patrol officer. Before he moved to administration, he gained experience in such community policing efforts as the “beat officer program” in which he assigned police officers to neighborhoods. He also placed officers in schools, and worked with neighborhoods to create safety programs.
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