Oak Forest has named a new police chief ahead of the retirement later this month of Chief Jason Reid.
Reid’s last day will be Feb. 24 after more than 27 years with the city.
Scott Durano, now deputy chief, will assume the chief’s job and has been with the department since 1995.
“The selection committee unanimously agreed Scott is the right person for the job,” Mayor Hank Kuspa said in a news release. “We look forward to his continued leadership in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Oak Forest community.”
Durano, an Oak Forest native and military veteran, began as a patrol officer with the city and was named deputy chief in 2020.
As deputy chief, Durano coordinated the integration of the department’s
body-worn cameras with high-definition, in-car cameras; supervised the city’s 911 communications center and secured more than $800,000 in grant funding to support agency initiatives, according to the city.
“I am honored to lead our exceptional team as we continue to uphold our mission of providing outstanding law enforcement services to meet the needs of our residents and all those who enjoy what our community has to offer,” Durano said in a news release.
Durano earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from Governors State University. In 2019, Durano graduated from the Northwestern University School for Police Staff and Command, according to the city.
He is a member of the South Suburban Chiefs of Police and Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
Reid began his career with the city’s Police Department as a patrol officer and became deputy chief in 2016 and chief in 2020.
“Jason has been an exemplary public servant and his thoughtful and
compassionate approach to community policing has greatly benefited Oak Forest,” Kuspa said in the release.
The mayor said Reid advocated for training and continuing education for officers and was a founding member of a task force comprised of neighboring police departments to collect, develop and share best practices in law enforcement.
“My time serving as chief of this department has been extremely rewarding,” Reid said. “Police work can be challenging and stressful, but I have been fortunate to have the support of a wonderful, caring family, the town that I grew up in, and the brave men and women of the Oak Forest Police Department. I am thankful to them and I am proud of our achievements.”
The City Council will honor Reid at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at City Hall, 15440 Central Ave., Oak Forest.
mnolan@southtownstar.com