Prairie Grove police chief resigns; village to look at police operations, set-up

The village of Prairie Grove will be taking a look at how its police operations in the wake of its police chief's resignation last month.

Prairie Grove Police Chief Tony Colatorti said he and the village had separate visions for the department, which led to his decision to step down.

Colatorti submitted his letter of resignation Sept. 22, Village Administrator Mike Freese said. Sgt. Jim Walton is currently serving as the acting Prairie Grove police chief.

Freese said the village is currently forming a committee to look at police operations.

A special village board meeting is set for 9 a.m. Thursday to discuss both the department’s budget and its organization, such as its level of service, and talk about what the qualifications would be if the village decides to hire a new police chief.

“We're not only going to take time to look and see what we're going to do about a new police chief, but is there anything we can do in regards to our police department as a whole?” Freese said. “It's a good time to review the police department.”

Colatorti said in a Facebook status posted on Monday on a page for his police dog, K9 Diago, that he decided to resign as he felt he and the village were going in different directions.

“Mine was one way; theirs is another,” Colatorti said in an interview with the Northwest Herald. “I had different plans for them."

For instance, Colatorti said, he thinks the department should turn full-time, as running part-time departments is a challenge right now.

He added, though, that there was “nothing personal” in his decision to resign.

In his resignation letter, Colatorti said he has decided to pursue other opportunities and endeavors.

Colatorti said he definitely plans on continuing his law enforcement career after taking a little time to spend with his family. A Crystal Lake resident, Colatorti says he hopes to stay in McHenry County. K9 Diago will stay with him.

“I've been doing this for 22 years,” Colatorti said. “This little break right now is actually really good."