This is my final sign off or as we say in the law enforcement world, “I am going 10-42 for the last time.”
My last day with the Forest Park Police Department is Sept. 30, 2026, having served as the Chief of Police since November of 2021, after beginning my career with the Village of Forest Park in April of 2000.
Thank you all for a fulfilling 26-plus-year career and for giving me the opportunity to serve the community in a myriad of positions — from patrol officer, tactical officer, patrol sergeant, patrol commander, detective lieutenant, deputy chief, and ultimately police chief.
I have always done my best for you and the community no matter how big or small the task. I have sacrificed many holidays, family events, parties and countless hours of sleep to serve the village. I have nothing but pride in the Forest Park Police Department and the law enforcement profession as a whole.
I leave you in good hands. The police department has a superior training cadre, an experienced and professional administrative staff and a young group of officers that impress me with their work ethic day in and day out. The men and women are there to serve and protect you around the clock and will continue to run towards chaos to keep the peace while most are running from it.
Know that you have a great team at the village. The most visible department heads — Director Stella with Public Works, Chief Hankus of the Fire Department, Director Glinke of the Building Department and I (soon my successor) — work closely together to ensure that your quality of life is the best that it can be. They care about you, and they care deeply about Forest Park.
My best to you all. Be well. Stay safe. And thank you, again, for allowing me to be part of the greatest show on earth — policing.
Chief Ken Gross