While the choices were made three weeks ago, the announcement of Oak Park’s two new deputy police chiefs was made just last week. And the formal swearing in of a long-time Oak Park officer and a veteran of the Chicago police force will come on June 17.
Veteran Oak Park Police Commander Anthony Ambrose was named to fill one of two vacant deputy chief of police positions on that force Tuesday. The other position will be filled by Carl Leidy, a 32-year veteran of the Chicago police force. The two men will be introduced to the media at a press conference this morning at the Oak Park police station, and will be formally sworn in at a village hall ceremony on June 17.
Calling the three-month-long selection process “intensive and thorough,” village manager Carl Swenson said he was confident he and a small group of key village management that included Chief of Police Rick Tanksley, had selected the two individuals best suited to the police department’s current needs.
“Commander Ambrose offered extensive knowledge of the community and experience working closely with its residents,” said Tanksley. “Captain Leidy will bring a broad range of experience in many facets of law enforcement that I believe will be of great value to the department?#34;especially to our young officers.”
Ambrose will serve as Deputy Chief of Administration, overseeing records, budgets and training, as well as the village’s ongoing effort to earn accreditation through the Commission on Law Enforcement. Leidy will be Deputy Chief of Field Services, with responsibility for patrol, crossing guards and community service officers. They join the department’s only current Deputy Chief, Robert Scianna, who as deputy chief of Support Services oversees the Investigation Division, community policing and the juvenile unit.
Ambrose, who joined the Oak Park force in 1984, currently oversees the department’s community policing efforts. Included in that program is the Resident Beat Officer program, which has police officers living and working in seven dedicated beats, with a primary focus on dealing with community quality of life issues.
Leidy joined the Chicago department in 1973 and has served primarily on the city’s north and northwest sides. He rose through the ranks to his previous position of Captain in the 19th District, where he oversaw 150 sworn officers and support staff.
Both Leidy and Ambrose have advanced Criminal Justice degrees from Lewis University, and also have specialized training in a wide range of subjects through the FBI and other police organizations.
“I feel that as both a team and as individuals, they will greatly enhance my ability to take this department to the next level of professionalism, customer service and crime fighting,” Tanksley said.CONTACT: bdwyer@wjinc.com
