Dupage Policy Journal

In terms of community outreach, the department made significant strides under Chief Menough to seek new ways to engage and partner with residents and stakeholders. The department began its participation in the annual holiday Shop with a Cop event in which underprivileged children are taken holiday shopping by police officers and participated in the Cop on a Rooftop event at local businesses to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.  Additionally, the department began holding resident meetings entirely in the Spanish language on a quarterly basis. Chief Menough also worked to foster a culture of transparency during his tenure by establishing a ‘Transparency Portal’ on the police department website capturing data on police officer use of force, internal investigations, traffic stops, and other relevant information. The department is also in the process of implementing body worn cameras for officers, which will commence later in the year.

 During Chief Menough’s tenure, the department faced significant and historic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the period of civil unrest experienced around the country during 2020. “The department weathered these challenges as a result of its professionalism and adherence to the professional standards established by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA),” said Chief Menough. “Despite the rise in crime in many metropolitan areas around the country, Hanover Park has maintained a low crime rate and I am extremely proud of our effort to keep the community safe. It has been my pleasure to serve this community for over 26 years and to have had the opportunity to lead such an outstanding police department.”

 The Village plans to swear in Deputy Chief Andrew Johnson as the new Chief of Police at the May 5, 2022 Village Board Meeting.