The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

Main menu

STAY CONNECTED

Village announces Interim Police Chief

April 14, 2022 – Village Manager Kevin Jackson announced today that Shatonya Johnson will serve as Interim Police Chief as the Village embarks on a nationwide search to permanently fill the role that will be vacated when current Police Chief LaDon Reynolds retires Friday.

A 22-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department, Johnson became the highest-ranking woman in department history when she was named Deputy Chief in 2020.

“I believe Deputy Chief Johnson brings a wealth of Oak Park knowledge that will ensure the continuity of successful departmental operations,” Jackson said. “Even in my short time with the Village, I’ve been impressed by both her experience and advocacy for the department and her empathy and thoughtfulness related to her job. I look forward to her leadership within the department as Chief Reynolds transitions into the next phase of his career.”

The announcement comes as the Village ramps up the process of selecting the 14th police chief since the Village was incorporated in 1903.

Residents, business operators and individuals who work here are invited to weigh in on the qualities they believe are most important in the community’s next top law enforcement official.

An online survey allows members of the community to share their views on a range of topics related to the Police Chief role and public safety in Oak Park. The survey will remain open through April 29.

“The next chief of police will be responsible for continuing the high-quality law enforcement services provided today,” said Jackson, who has the responsibility under Village Code to hire all municipal employees including the Police Chief. “Input from community stakeholders is important in supporting the next Police Chief and helping determine priorities for the department.”

Johnson, who began her Oak Park career as a patrol officer in September 2000, has served as a neighborhood resource officer, juvenile specialist, detective, internal affairs sergeant and detective commander prior to her promotion to Deputy Chief.

She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior/ Organizational Development from Benedictine University and a Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University. She also is a graduate of the Public Safety Staff and Command School at Northwestern University and Senior Management Institute of Police in Boston.

Prior to joining the Oak Park Police Department, Johnson had been a case manager with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, a correctional officer at the Will County Jail, a patrol officer for the Cook County Forest Preserves and an adjunct professor of juvenile justice at MacCormac College in Chicago.

More information about the Oak Park Police Department is posted online at www.oak-park.us/police.