Tinley Interim Police Chief Steps Into Role Permanently: Village

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park's interim police chief will stay on in the role permanently, Village officials announced.

Thomas Tilton, who had been serving as interim chief since the departure of former chief Matthew Walsh in September 2023, was appointed to the chief role at a May 7 Village Board meeting.

Tilton joined the Tinley Park Police Department as Deputy Police Chief of Administration in September 2021. Prior to joining the Village, he served with the United States Secret Service for 26 years as a leader in law enforcement, security and investigative operations. He held various vital operational roles, overseeing and managing numerous large-scale operations., officials said.

Tilton has served for more than 10 years as the Deputy Director of Operations for the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, overseeing tactical response operations within a critical agency comprised of 134 municipalities, 30 townships, 5.4 million residents and 945 square miles of territory.

Chief Tilton has various certifications from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Schedule Board (ILETSB) as a Certified SWAT Operator, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) as a Certified Professional Emergency Manager, and the Illinois Tactical Officers Association (ITOA) as a Certified Tactical Patrol Officer. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding achievements and service.

"DC Tilton has been an integral part of the Tinley Park Police Department since he joined us two years ago," Mayor Michael Glotz said previously. "His professionalism and natural leadership abilities will help ensure the police department continues to operate efficiently while we search for a permanent Police Chief."