Sgt. Marge Wins Police Chiefs Award

Sgt. Marge Kielczynski of the La Grange Police Department has been a resident of the village for over 50 years, and she's been policing its streets for 31 of those 50.

"I went to kindergarten in La Grange," Kielczynski chuckled as she thought back on her years in La Grange. "I've lived her so long I'm on a first name basis with a lot of [residents]."

On Sept. 21, Kielczynski received a big honor in the police community when she was awarded Illinois Association of Police Chiefs certification. The award "certifies" her to hold the position of chief of police in Illinois, and is in many ways, a recommendation for the position.

La Grange's Chief of Police Michael Holub made the suggestion this year to the department's sergeants that they should consider taking the test, Kielczynski said. She decided to go after it. 

"It's do or die," Kielczynski said. "It's not the kind of test where you walk out of there and say, 'Piece of cake, I aced it.'"

The process isn't easy, and it's not an easy award to get. Applicants must first pass a written exam that tests the applicant's knowledge of constitutional, traffic and criminal law, among other areas. Applicants who pass the test then move on to an oral interview and go through a background check that focuses on their career and service. Applicants must also submit documentation of professional, educational and community service achievements. They must also prove that they excel in the areas of management, leadership and public relations.

"There's a lot that you can do in that role in serving the community," Kielczynski said about why she went for her certification. "I don’t mind arresting people—I like that part too—but most of what we do is service and education. That's what I really like."