Oak Park’s longtime police chief, Rick Tanksley, announced his plan to retire from the force on Sept. 1.
Tanksley, who has served 33 years with the Oak Park Police Department, said in a news release that choosing to retire was “one of the toughest decisions of my career.”
“Working for the village is so much more than a job,” he said. “Oak Park is my hometown and the character of the community is part of who I am. But there comes a time in everyone’s life when change is necessary not only for my own personal and professional growth, but for the organization as well. That time for me is now.”
Tanksley joined the Oak Park Police Department as a patrol officer in 1984, and over the next nine years was named sergeant, commander and then deputy chief. He has served as chief since 2001 and is Oak Park’s 11th police chief.
He succeeded Joseph M. Mendrick, who served the department for 35 years.
What comes next for Tanksley is uncertain, according to the news release, which noted that he is “still weighing his options.”
“I hope to have an opportunity to take what I have learned during a long and rewarding career in Oak Park and share it with other law enforcement agencies that may be struggling with many of the same challenges that shaped our community’s reputation for tolerance and acceptance and the police department’s reputation of treating people with dignity and respect,” he said. “The factors that made Oak Park different in many ways did not happen by accident. Perhaps, I can find a way where others can benefit from the Oak Park perspective.”
A decision on his successor could come as early as next week, according to Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, who expressed gratitude for Tanksley’s years on the police force.
“Given Rick’s tenure with the Oak Park Police Department, I have always known his retirement was possible at any time,” she said. “The position of chief of police is demanding, and Rick’s background in social work allowed him to relate to the public in a meaningful way. He has continued to advocate for Oak Park’s community oriented policing strategies and that impact has been profound here. He will be missed.”
Tanksley said he’d miss the people of Oak Park most because of his “many rewarding interactions – often under some pretty trying circumstances.”
“I know I will never be able to recreate such a unique experience, but I am content to leave that opportunity to those who follow me in pursuing a career with the Oak Park Police Department,” he said.
CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com