Chief of Police

City of Harvard

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.cityofharvard.org

Phone:

• 815-943-6468

Email:

• nunez@cityofharvard.org

Application Deadline:

• 05/08/26
• @ 5:00 PM

Salary:

• $135,000 - $140,000

  This is a full-time, non-union position.

  The City offers a benefit package that includes:

  • IPOPIF pension contribution
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid vacation
  • Holidays
  • Sick leave

Sworn:

• 18

Population:

• 9,469

Position Details

RECRUITING FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF POLICE

The City of Harvard is a diverse and growing community, seeking an experienced public safety leader to serve as the next Chief of Police. The current Chief will be retiring in September 2026, after four years in the role, and 28 years as a sworn officer with the department.

THE CITY OF HARVARD:

The City is located in McHenry County, Illinois, approximately seven miles south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, 63 miles from the Chicago Loop, and is the first stop on the Union Pacific/Northwest Line to Chicago. The population was 9,469 at the 2020 census, and the corporate city limits currently cover approximately eight square miles.

In 1942, the city instituted an annual celebration known as Harvard Milk Day. A lavish   parade down whitewashed streets attracted thousands. As farmers found greater profit in supplying metropolitan Chicago's supermarkets with produce, dairy farming declined. However, the Milk Days celebration continues to be the longest continuously running hometown festival in Illinois, having just celebrated its 84th year last June.

As urban expansion moved east into McHenry County in the late 1960s, Harvard's rural setting became a model to many who opposed growth. County government adopted land-use plans to preserve agricultural areas, and Harvard's rural setting became a model to that plan. Many Latinos who came to work as farmers settled in Harvard. Today Harvard is home to 3rd and 4th generations of Latinos who are an integral part of our community. The City is committed to embracing this cultural diversity, continuously striving to offer diverse services and improve community integration.

The City operates under the Mayor/Council form of government. The City Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Council Members, one from each of the City’s four wards. As the elected legislative body, the City Council is responsible for enacting the codes and ordinances of the municipality, representing the community, and planning a long-range vision for the future of Harvard. The Mayor and City Council appoint a City Administrator to carry out policies directives, combining political leadership with professional administration.

https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/102881/Harvard.pdf

THE HARVARD POLICE DEPARTMENT:

The Harvard Police Department operates on a Panama Schedule, providing 24/7 coverage through 12-hour shifts. The department is staffed by the Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief, four Sergeants, one Detective, and eleven sworn police officers. Civilian staff include one Community Service Officer, one Records Specialist, one part-time Parking Enforcement Officer, and one part-time Crossing Guard.

E911 communication services are provided by the Northeast Regional Communications Center (NERCOM) in McHenry, Illinois, of which the City of Harvard is a regional partner.

Sworn personnel below the rank of Deputy Chief are members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 134, while civilian personnel are represented by Teamsters Local 700. The current collective bargaining agreements are effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/police

THE CHIEF OF POLICE POSITION:

The Chief is appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the City Council. The Chief serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Police Department and has the final departmental authority on all matters of policy, operations, and discipline. The Chief is responsible for the planning, staffing, directing, coordinating, and controlling of all department functions and activities; for the maintenance of positive relations with all citizens, city government, and outside agencies; and for the successful accomplishments of the department.

The Chief of Police is a full-time, administrative position, with the expected normal hours of operation being Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, to allow for daily contact with all department personnel on a regular basis. The Chief is also expected to be available to handle emergency matters outside of normal operating hours, in coordination with the Deputy Chief’s schedule.

Executive responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Direct the administration and operations of the department in the most cost-effective manner.
• Establish, in written form for all employees, policies, procedures, rules, regulations and directives for the administration and operation of the department. 
• Enforce the observance of high ethical standards in the performance and contribution of department personnel in the Community Oriented Policing philosophy and practice, focusing on citizen satisfaction.
• Ensure employee compliance in accordance with ordinances and department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and directives, taking appropriate measures for non-compliance when necessary.
• Serve as the appointing authority for any position within the department other than his or her own.
• Prepare the annual budget for the department and supervise the fiscal management of budget resources.
• Attend all City Council meetings, and other meetings as required by the Mayor or City Administrator. 
• Report to and carry out any other duties as assigned by the Mayor and City Administrator.

THE CHIEF OF POLICE QUALIFICATIONS:

The City is seeking an innovative and collaborative professional with proven leadership experience, strong interpersonal skills, and a genuine commitment to public service. A desire and ability to interact with all employees and officials at all levels of the organization is essential.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• A minimum of ten years of sworn police experience.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible supervisory and leadership experience in a comparable law enforcement agency, preferably at the Commander/Deputy Chief level or higher.
• Experience in addressing common internal organizational and personnel issues, with a demonstrated ability in addressing these problems in a timely, professional, and impartial manner.
• Experience in reviewing organizational structure, staffing, personnel assignments, and the ability to make appropriate and difficult changes when appropriate to ensure departmental capability to carry out its mission and responsibilities. 
• Ability to think strategically, anticipate issues and trends, and be open to new approaches and technologies that consider the needs and goals of the entire City operations. 
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and budgeting skills with a strong understanding of capital planning and organizational management.
• Possess a reputation of the utmost integrity. 

Education and Training:

• Successful candidates must possess certification as a Police Officer by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or related field. A Master’s Degree is strongly preferred.
• Command leadership training such as the F.B.I. National Academy or staff and command educational programs are desirable.

Qualified candidates should submit resumes, accompanied by professional references with contact information included by mail no later than May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM to:

Deputy City Clerk Jannette Nunez

City of Harvard

PO Box 310

Harvard, IL 60033

OR

Submit by email no later than May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM to:

nunez@cityofharvard.org

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