.
Feedback

Oak Forest Top Cop a Semifinalist for Florida Position

Police Chief Greg Anderson was recently named a semifinalist in the search to replace Sarasota's retiring police chief Mikel Hollaway.

Oak Forest Police Chief Greg Anderson is one of five candidates lined up for a shot at replacing retiring Sarasota chief Mikel Hollaway. 

The city announced Friday morning five semifinalists who will travel to Sarasota for interviews with City Manager Tom Barwin, one-on-one interviews with the commission, public vetting and a community forum.

The candidates are:

  • Gregory J. Anderson:  Chief of Police, Oak Forest, Ill., Police Department
  • Bernadette A. DiPino:  Chief of Police, Ocean City, Md., Police Department
  • Salvatore Ruggiero: Former Major/Division Commander, Tampa Police Department
  • Mark A. Teunis: Major/Division Commander; Clearwater Police Department
  • Tonya D. Vincent:  Deputy Chief of Police; Richmond, Va., Police Department

Barwin called the candidates "impressive."

“Each one has the critical skill sets required to strengthen and improve trust between the community and our police department.  Now we need to spend some time with each candidate and determine the best fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead," Barwin said. "I’m looking forward to selecting someone with strong professional principles who embraces community policing and has a clear vision to uplift and lead our 175 sworn officers at a time when resources are a challenge.”

Barwin in the process of seeking input from commanders, supervisors and patrol officers within the Sarasota Police Department, according to the city.  

Barwin narrowed the search to five after receiving a list of 13 semifinalists from  Interim City Manager Terry Lewis.  Lewis reviewed applications with the assistance of Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown, Halloway, former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Officer Jim Sewell and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Col. Steve Burns, according to the city.

Halloway is set to retire at the end of October after 30 years of service with the police department.  

Anderson has also previously applied for positions in Texas , route: {:controller=>"articles", :action=>"show", :id=>"oak-forest-police-chief-eliminated-from-search-for-texas-top-cop"} -->and

NANCY GRACE September 17, 2012 at 11:30 am
HE GONE!
Michael M. September 17, 2012 at 05:21 pm
Have we started to look for a replacement? We should do that ASAP.
Debbie D. September 17, 2012 at 06:41 pm
So our police chief is working hard at getting out of Oak Forest?
Despiser of Vera September 17, 2012 at 07:14 pm
IT'S ALL PART OF THE ILLUMINATI'S PLAN!
Signed, Ivent
Ruth Ensing September 17, 2012 at 07:22 pm
Should have promoted from within maybe? Might have had a little more loyalty?
Baba Wawa September 17, 2012 at 09:24 pm
I agree! This guy is/was a joke!
Baba Wawa September 17, 2012 at 09:26 pm
I think he worked hard at it the minute he got here. Useless tool.
Janet Virva September 17, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Funny, in the business world (aka "reality"), when your boss finds out you're interviewing, he/she sends you on your way to interview at your leisure. But, well... this is "government."
phxdr September 18, 2012 at 12:28 am
Anderson is not perfect but I have no major problems with him. I don't think that he will be getting the position. Oak Forest is a very small suburb, while those others candidates are from larger cities. Sarasota has a population of 50,000 so I would say they will pick a chief that has experience with a larger city...which Oak Forest is far from being.
Brian September 18, 2012 at 09:05 pm
phxdr, Anderson has worked as a former Deputy Chief of Aurora Illinois (200k people). He has big city experience, and also that of establishing a department in Campton Hills. I am not sure what his angle is, but he has always been ready to springboard into something else since day one. Seems like he wants to be a Chief of a large city rather bad. Truth be told, I think that would be the right position for him.
http://openline.blogspot.com/2007/07/aurora-deputy-police-chief-greg.html http://will.uiuc.edu/media/champaignpolice/GregoryAndersonResume.pdf http://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefanderson I think this city needs a Chief that has connections to this area (south suburbs if not internal), and has savvy about the trends facing this area. I think someone with gang/tactical experience would be a good choice, as I foresee this problem becoming a bigger issue in this area over the next decade. The problem with our officials hiring people like Anderson, is they go gaga over paper credentials, and toss aside environmental experience. Greg seems like a decent guy, just not the right fit for our city, and he most likely shares these views.
Randall September 20, 2012 at 03:31 pm
This casts a very big and strange shadow also on our current adminstraion in city hall! Have they already told him he will not be returning? Has he realized the strange way politics works here in the City by the Forest? It has never been a great fit for Chief Anderson, but I would think if the Administration was better he would not be jumping ship that fast! Internal candidates were looked at and seemed not to step up to the process! Many have retired from OFPD and that also sends a special message about the Administration! Too many Politicians spoiling the soup!!
The voice of reason September 23, 2012 at 10:50 am
When Chief Anderson was selected it was between him and another applicant. At the time the process occurred the department internally wasn't as preparred to promote from within. I think that they have done a better job in preparring the lower level supervisors for the next level.Sometimes a view from the outside can help change things from the inside.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Oak Forest Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Baba Wawa June 18, 2013 at 07:22 am
Bella Cain was a nice surprise last year for a first-time band last year. Nice to see them backRead More this year.
Colleen McAbee June 18, 2013 at 08:28 am
Disappointed once again to not see 7th heaven on the roster. They have the best vocals out there,Read More even without their lead singer Keith Semple who defected to start a solo act. This band actually gets radio air play. Haven't heard any of the others at Oakfest on the radio.
Dutch Oven Chef June 19, 2013 at 09:38 am
Have any of you whiners ever seen the crowd at OakFest when Infinity is playing?? There are wallRead More to wall people in the tent and out into the grass around the tent! I agree that 7th Heaven was very good as well but maybe their price tag got too high for a neighborhood fest....
Robert Quilico June 11, 2013 at 07:31 am
Stephanie, not sure how to do so. Joe, thanks for your concern. We are still hoping to find someoneRead More here that may know of the dog. We are not looking to cause it any harm, just looking for information.
Stephanie Graniczny June 11, 2013 at 12:02 pm
My email is selv2006@Yahoo.com please email me as soon as you get this
ChiCubs1 June 14, 2013 at 01:29 pm
I hope that you find the owners of that pet! I bring my black Shepherd up there when we go...oneRead More reason I don't let my dog go with neighbors is because neighbors can't control him like we do. The owners should have been more responsible. I'm glad that your daughter is alright and I hope that you find the owners of this dog!
Roxana Agler June 9, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Lisa, give me a sneak peek, I can buy something from you before it starts, got anything for theRead More backyard? Roxana
Dorothy Kennedy (Treasurer, Oak Forest Rotary), Judy Gremer (Owner, Holistic Happenings), Sue Wolf (Secretary, Oak Forest Rotary) and Colleen Kisel (Founder/CEO, Treasure Chest)
Sue A. Wolf June 5, 2013 at 10:52 pm
This was a great event. I was honored to be a part of it. If we are able to do this next year, youRead More won't want to miss this event.
Ray June 6, 2013 at 12:50 pm
I dare anyone to name a more dangerous intersection then that. The turn from 147th st west bound toRead More southbound Oak Park is the worst I've seen. One slip and your car goes down a ravine 20 feet. The civil engineer and county people who approved that design should be called out. We NEED HELP!