Village Swears in New Burr Ridge Police Officer

The same day Brandon Valentino entered the police academy at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, he was sworn in as 's newest police officer. The Palos Park resident beat out more than 100 applicants for the position.

"[Burr Ridge] is a great town, similar to my own where I grew up Palos Park," said Valentino. "I've really wanted to be a police officer ever since I was little. I always liked being able to help people."

Valentino graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Science and Social Justice. He then went on to obtain another Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and health from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights.

"We’re happy to hire another officer, and it sounds ike he’s got a great background in education and community service," said Andrew Flentge, who was present for Valentino's swearing in at Monday night's village board meeting.

Valentino will attend the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage to train for the next 12 weeks, before starting field training with the Burr Ridge Police Department for another 12 weeks.

Prior to accepting the position in Burr Ridge, Valentino interned at the Orland Park Police Department, volunteered with the Palos Hills Emergency Management Agency and Palos Community Hospital.

For the past year, one of Burr Ridge's police officers has been on medical leave, and , leaving the department short two officers. Valentino is expected to be ready to begin his duties in the patrol division in late December.

"It will be a relief, because we’ve been understaffed in patrol for almost a year now," said Burr Ridge Police Chief John Madden. "It’s been a little tougher to schedule vacation leave for the officers and time for training ... As far as manpower, we used our detectives to fill in when needed."

Madden said the addition of Valentino to the department brings it to "full strength." In May, the department hired Lucas Weeks, who is currently enrolled at the police academy in Chicago, to fill the replace the other vacant position with the department.

I think both of these gentlemen—they've passed all of our testing process—and I think they’re fine individuals, fine men ... I think they’ll work out very well. We’re excited to have them," said Madden.