James M. Paoletti
Biography

 
Chief James M. Paoletti was appointed Chief of Police on October 31, 2008 by Village President Michael Einhorn with the endorsement of the Village Board.  Chief Paoletti comes to the Village after completing over 38 years with the City of Chicago Police Department.  When he retired from the Chicago Police Department, Chief Paoletti held the rank of Captain of Police.

Chief Paoletti began his career with the City of Chicago on November 2, 1970 as a Police Cadet, while attending DePaul University.  During the next several decades he served as a Police Officer, Tactical Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Tactical Sergeant, Neighborhood Relations Sergeant and Business Liaison Sergeant.  Upon being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant he served as a Field Lieutenant, Tactical Lieutenant, Acting Watch Commander, a CAPS Management Team Leader, and an Acting District Commander.  After attaining the rank of Captain he was assigned as a Watch Commander and Acting District Commander.

While with the Chicago Police Department, Chief Paoletti was awarded 7 Department Commendation Awards, 131 Honorable Mention Awards, 4 Special Service Awards and received 29 letters of commendations from citizens.

While a Captain of Police in Chicago, Chief Paoletti served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Police Captains Association- Police Benevolent & Protective Association (the labor union for the captain's rank) for 7 years serving as its President for 4 of those years.

Chief Paoletti holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Management; a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement Administration; and a Master of Science Degree in Public Safety; he was inducted into the Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society and awarded the St. Catherine Medal.

In March of 2010 Chief Paoletti became a "Certified" Chief through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.  At that time there were 1,073 Chiefs of Police throughout the State and only 63 had attained the "Certified" credentials.

In June of 2010 Chief Paoletti was honored by the Illinois State Crime Commission as their "Police Chief of the Year for 2010".

Chief Paoletti has attended the following Management and Training seminars:

• U.S. Navy- Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Naval Leadership Development Training
• University of Illinois at Chicago, Office of International Criminal Justice Management Course
• Northwestern University, Traffic Institute, Sergeant's Executive Management Program
• Northwestern University, Center for Public Safety, Kellogg School of Management, Leadership Development Program
• U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation- Crisis Negotiation Special Topics Course
• Terrorism Awareness and Response Academy
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security- FEMA, National Incident Management Course
• U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation- Spotting Assessing and Handling High Risk Persons in a Mass Transit or Crowded Environment
• U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation- Assessing Threats of Targets School Violence

Chief Paoletti maintains memberships in the following police organizations:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police
• Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
• South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police
• Will County Chiefs of Police Association
• Chicago Police Captains Association, P.B. & P.A., Unit 156-C
• Illinois Police Association
• Knights of Columbus, Chicago Police Council # 12173
• Italian American Police Association of Illinois