Lisle taps veteran chief to fill in as village seeks new chief

A former suburban police chief and law enforcement veteran is stepping in to lead Lisle’s police department as the village searches for a new chief.

James Kruger, who retired as East Dundee’s police chief in 2023, was appointed temporary police chief at Monday’s village board meeting. Trustees unanimously backed his appointment.

Kruger replaces Deputy Chief Tim Dempsey, who was named temporary chief earlier this year but plans to retire in September. Dempsey was named temporary chief when Lisle’s former police chief, Kevin Licko, stepped down as chief in May following an employee complaint against him. Licko is using unused vacation time and will remain on the force as a sergeant until he retires on Oct. 1.

Kruger launched his law enforcement career in 1984 when he joined the Carpentersville Police Department. In addition to leading East Dundee’s police department, Kruger previously served as police chief in Oak Brook, Roselle and Winfield.

Also, Kruger is the recipient of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police President’s Award in 2021 and the association’s Police Chief of the Year in 2022.

Since his retirement from East Dundee, Kruger has served as director of law enforcement relations with BluePoint Alert Solutions, an Elgin company providing emergency alert systems to schools, churches, commercial buildings and small businesses.

“Chief Kruger’s significant and well-respected experience during his four decades career with suburban law enforcement agencies makes him uniquely qualified to steward the Lisle Police Department until a permanent chief is selected,” said Lisle Mayor Chris Pecak, who also described Kruger as a “highly effective leader.”

Kruger thanked Pecak and the trustees for their confidence in him and said he appreciated the opportunity.

“Lisle is a great place, and I am excited to be returning, on an interim basis, to the DuPage County law enforcement community,” he said.

Pecak said Kruger will assist in reviewing potential candidates for a new chief. The village plans to work with a consultant to conduct a search for the job. Kruger’s initial contract with Lisle is for three months but can be extended if necessary, Pecak said.