DeHaan receives Outstanding Alumni Award from Sauk Valley Community College

Oregon Police Chief Darin DeHaan received the 2013 Outstanding Alumni Award at Sauk Valley Community College commencement exercises May 17.

DeHaan is a 1993 SVCC criminal justice graduate.

After graduating from SVCC, he continued his education at Western Illinois University, Macomb, earning a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration in1996.

He then joined the City of Oregon as a patrol officer and climbed the ranks as a detective, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and now chief of police.

During this time DeHaan enrolled at Northwestern University, Evanston, to complete his master's degree in public administration. With the Oregon Police Department, DeHaan establishedthe first K-9 unit and wrote grants that brought in more than $100,000.

DeHaan gave credit to SVCC.

"With my education from Sauk, I was able to quickly and successfully climb through the ranks in law enforcement," he said. "This institution not only cares about the current learning environment for its students, but also focuses on preparing them for the future as well."
He is involved in numerous organizations as a member of the Illinois Chief's Association, the International Chiefs of Police Association, the Oregon Rotary, the Ogle County Domestic Violence Coalition and is the founder of the Ogle County Methamphetamine Awareness Coalition.

He also coaches youth basketball and football and is an adjunct faculty member for SVCC's criminal justice program.

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes those who have gone on to make a positive and lasting impact on their community or career field.

Nominees must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours or completed a certificate or degree at SVCC to be eligible.

For more information about the Sauk Valley College Foundation or the award, call Amy Viering at 815-835-6329, or email her at vierina@svcc.edu.