Root honored for his achievements

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PRINCETON — Princeton Police Chief Tom Root has been honored for his achievements as an Illinois police chief.

At Monday’s meeting of the Princeton City Council, Root received a certification plaque from the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs, represented by Steve Stanard, an associate professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Mike Holeb, LaGrange Chief of Police.

Stanard and Holeb are members of the Voluntary Police Chiefs Certification Committee within the IAPC.

In making his presentation, Stanard said the volunteer police chief organization uses five steps in meeting certification eligibility. Those criteria begin with a level of professional command and police experience; on-going educational and professional development and training; and community and professional membership requirements. Once those three criteria are achieved and documented, a police chief is then eligible to complete a 100 question written examination. After passing that exam, the police chief then undergoes an oral interview with two police chiefs and a college professor. A background investigation is also required for completion of the criteria, Stanard said.

“It’s quite a rigorous program, and there’s only been a handful of police chiefs  who have been able to accomplish this so far,” Standard said.

In making his comments, Holeb said Root was able to take his written exam while serving in Iraq. (Root returned in May from a year’s military service with U.S. Army National Guard in Iraq.) The IAPC is proud of Root’s service to his country as well as the Princeton community, Holeb said.

In accepting his Certified Police Chief award, Root said he is appreciative of the honor which shows the police and law enforcement profession is a continuing educational experience.

“I’m proud of the distinction to be a certified police chief,” Root said. “I’m also proud to serve the community of Princeton as its police chief. I appreciate the support I’ve received from the city.”

Princeton Mayor Keith Cain also commended Root for his achievement.

“For all he’s been through, this is quite an accomplishment for Tom,” Cain said Tuesday. “We are very proud of him and glad to have him as our police chief.”

Root became Princeton’s police chief in June 2000.

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