Arlington Heights Police Chief Announces Retirement

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Arlington Heights Police Chief Gerald Mourning plans to retire in August after more than four decades in law enforcement, he announced Thursday, according to the police department. Mourning's 42-year career includes 14 in his current role, and time as police chief in West Chicago, director of safety for Milwaukee Public Schools, investigator with the St. Charles Police Department, and a patrolman in East Dundee, according to a release.

In a news release, village officials praised Mourning for helping Arlington Heights become one of the safest communities of its size in the country, thanks to its lowest-recorded crime rate and a 15-year low in traffic crashes. Officials added that during Mourning's tenure, the village's crime rate dropped 58 percent and traffic crashes are down 32 percent.

In addition to his significant impact on crime and crashes, officials also noted state and national recognition the department's traffic safety programs received during Mourning's tenure, according to a release. They also recognized the recent opening of the new police station, the development of a crisis intervention team and community outreach programs, and the addition of bicycle patrol and three police dog units.

Mourning is only the fifth police chief in the 125-year history of the Arlington Heights Police Department, a release said.

"Chief Mourning always invested heavily in the latest crime-fighting techniques and technology, and he leaves an outstanding police department even better than he found it," said Village Manager Randy Recklaus, in a release.

According to a release, the village has started searching for the next police chief and plans to make a selection before Mourning's last day on Aug. 4.