After 28 years with the Northbrook Police Department, John Ustich will have a new title in front of his name: police chief.
Ustich had served as the department’s interim chief since September, after former Chief Chris Kennedy left the department, according to previous reporting. The village announced Ustich’s elevation to chief on Dec. 6.
Village officials said in a news release that the process of selecting the chief involved interviews with senior village leadership, representatives from the labor unions for sworn personnel and dispatchers, and an evaluation of leadership, command and strategic management skills.
“In making this important decision, it is refreshing to have a veteran Northbrook officer prepared to take this important leadership position,” said Village Manager Cara Pavlicek. “Chief Ustich has demonstrated his professionalism, experience and firsthand knowledge of Northbrook throughout his career and as part of the selection process.”
The department has 103 full-time equivalent employees, including 65 sworn officers, per village information.
Ustich, a Navy veteran, started at the Northbrook Police Department in 1996 in patrol, earned awards for DUI enforcement, became Northbrook’s first traffic officer in 2005, then detective in 2007, sergeant in 2010 and patrol commander in 2019, according to the village.
Promoted to deputy chief in May 2023, he also led initiatives such as the Use of Force Coordinator and served on the Police Pension Board. He holds a Criminal Justice Associates degree and Northwestern University, School of Public Safety certifications.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Northbrook’s Chief of Police,” said Chief Ustich. “This community has been my professional home for nearly three decades, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our exceptional officers and staff to ensure Northbrook remains a safe and welcoming place for all residents and businesses.”
A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at village hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, and residents and the business community can meet the chief at a reception Jan. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. at village hall.