Lake in the Hills taps new top cop from within ranks; police Chief Mary Frake to retire

Lake in the Hills police Chief Mary Frake is retiring in July, and Deputy Chief Matt Mannino will succeed her as chief of the department.

Mannino, who officials have said has spent his career with the Lake in the Hills Police Department, has begun transition duties as part of becoming chief but will formally take over and be sworn in in July, he said Tuesday.

Village officials approved Mannino’s appointment April 25, and on Tuesday they discussed temporarily adding another police position. Mannino said police were asking for the additional position so they could get someone through training before Frake’s retirement is official.

“I’m honored to make this appointment,” Village President Ray Bogdanowski said after Mannino’s appointment was approved.

Frake was promoted to chief of police in 2021 after serving as deputy chief. Frake has been with the Lake in the Hills Police Department since 1994, according to previous Northwest Herald reporting. In her career, she served as an investigator and co-commander of the McHenry County Major Investigations Assistance Team.

Bogdanowski had high praise for Mannino after his appointment to police chief.

“We have the utmost confidence in you,” Bogdanowski said.