Glendale Heights police chief retires after 29 years of service

GLENDALE HEIGHTS – Glendale Heights Chief of Police Michael Marron was recognized at the village board meeting Feb. 11 for providing more than 29 years of service to the community. He retired Feb. 10.

Before being appointed chief by village President Linda Jackson in October 2005, Marron held the positions of patrol officer, detective, D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. instructor, crime prevention officer, sergeant and commander. He is the longest-serving police chief for Glendale Heights.

“Chief Marron has been a true leader and inspiration for the Glendale Heights community, and his services will be missed dearly,” Jackson said in the village news release. “He was admired and respected by his peers, but, most importantly, he was a great friend and colleague. Chief Marron was always prepared and committed to protecting and serving the residents of Glendale Heights. I want to personally thank Chief Marron for his contributions and commitment to the community.”

Marron has been a catalyst in ensuring the continuation of numerous programs in the Glendale Heights community, the release stated. It notes he was instrumental in the success of the Safety Town Easter Egg Hunt, Safety Town Halloween, Citizens Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch, National Night Out and many more programs. His commitment to the police department was always in the forefront, the release stated, and his ideas were influential in the redesigned Glendale Heights police station, which opened its doors in 2012.

Under Marron’s leadership, the department became an accredited agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, completing a rigorous process in which public safety agencies demonstrate they comply with an established set of professional law enforcement standards. Under Marron, the department has maintained compliance in the years since 2008, attaining re-accreditation in 2011 and 2014.

“This is a significant accomplishment, since only 3 percent of police agencies in the United States are accredited by CALEA,” the release stated.

Jackson and the village board are finalizing a comprehensive search for a new chief, working in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.