Buffalo Grove Police Commander Retires After 43 Years

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Buffalo Grove Police Department Commander Jim Newton is retiring after 43 years, the department announced Monday morning. According to a news release from the police department, Commander Newton's last day of service will be Thursday.

Newton's dedicated service to the police department and Village began when he was hired in July 1976 as a part-time desk officer, before he was given the position of a full time community service officer two weeks later, according to the news release.

Newton was promoted in 1996 to the rank of Sergeant, and then Commander in 2003, the department said. He's served in numerous capacities during his career, including with the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team, as a Field Operations Support Group Commander, and as a Patrol Commander, the news release added. His most recent role was Staff Support Commander.

Commander Newton also received several awards and commendations during his decades of honorable service, including several Honorable Mentions, Unit Citations, Employee of the Quarter, Life Saving Award, Cook County Award of Merit three times, Northwestern University Executive Leadership Award, Lake County 100 Club Officer of the Year, and was the 1992 and 1998 Buffalo Grove Police Officer of the Year, the department said.

“I am proud to have worked with Jim since I became Chief of this outstanding Department
nearly seven years ago,” Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens said, in the release. “In these challenging times for law enforcement across the country, Jim Newton’s tenure of over 43 years is a testimony to his commitment to professional policing, to the men and women of the Police Department, and especially to the members of this community. He will be missed, but his
career will serve as an example to all who remain in the service of Buffalo Grove.”

Commander Newton also served on a variety of task forces and has been extremely involved in a number of fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Illinois throughout his career, the department added.