New Police Chief Hired In Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — After a nearly four-month process involving more than two dozen candidates, Tinley Park has a new police chief. The Village Board unanimously approved the appointment of Matthew Walsh to the post during Tuesday's meeting.

Walsh takes over for Steve Neubauer, who retired at the end of April and had been Tinley's top cop since January 2012. Deputy Police Chief Charles Faricelli had been serving as interim chief during the village's national recruitment and search.

"I can't wait to get started. It's been a long process," Walsh said following the board's vote "I'm excited to be the chief of police for Tinley Park. It's got be to be one of the top 10 policing jobs in the state of Illinois."

The village received 26 applications for the position, and an advisory panel narrowed the pool down to seven candidates. Four finalists then were interviewed by the Village Board, which ultimately chose Walsh. His first official day as Tinley Park's new police chief is Monday, Aug. 27.

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Walsh's law enforcement career has spanned 25 years, and he graduated from the FBI Academy in Quanitco, Virginia, and from the Northwestern University's School of Police of Staff and Command. Before his appointment as chief, Walsh had been a lieutenant and watch commander with the Cook County sheriff's police, with a focus on community policing.

Matthew Walsh (right) poses with Tinley Park Mayor Jacob Vandenberg after the Village Board appointed Walsh as the new police chief Tuesday, Aug. 21 (Photo via Village of Tinley Park)