In the past 10 years, retired police chief John Perkins played a major role in expanding the Huntley Police Department’s services, and expanded the police force from 26 employees to 39 to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding community.
On his watch, the department achieved national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and he led the teams that investigated two murder incidents in Sun City, one of which led to the successful prosecution of the offender. He and other officers frequently came to Sun City and talked to residents about law enforcement and community safety matters.
Robert Porter. (Photo provided)
Last May, after 40 years of work in two Illinois law enforcement communities, Perkins announced his retirement. On September 30, it became official. During the past 10 years, Perkins has led the police department’s transition from a small community force to a respected law enforcement agency with programs such as the Citizen Police Academy, Community Response Team, Domestic Violence Assistance Program, and an award-winning LEAD the Way drug awareness and life skills program.
“We wish Chief Perkins all the best in his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated service to the village,” said Village Manager David Johnson. To take Perkins’ place, the village conducted a national search and selected Robert Porter, former chief of police in Downers Grove and a past president of the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association. He began his new duties in Huntley on October 12.
“We had a large pool of applicants for the job, as the reputation of the village and our police department made this a very desirable position,” said Mayor Charles Sass. “We are excited to being Chief Porter to Huntley. We are confident that his experience and leadership will serve our community well as we continue to grow and face the many challenges that growth brings.”
“Huntley is a great community,” Porter said on September 16, when his appointment was announced. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve the residents of Huntley and to lead the dedicated police officers of the Huntley Police Department. I look forward to being active in the community and enhancing outreach programs. I still love being a police officer and believe that police work is still an incredibly noble profession.”
Porter earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in public safety administration from Lewis University. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and the FBI National Academy. He is a certified Police Chief through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
