Arlington Heights Selects New Police Chief

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Arlington Heights Police Department has picked a new police chief. Nicholas Pecora has been appointed to the top post at the Arlington Heights Police Department.

Pecora has worked at the police department for 37 years and most recently served as the acting police chief since June. A news release from the village announcing Pecora's appointment noted his recent accomplishment of overseeing all phases of development of the new police station as evidence that he has a "strong foundation to set the Police Department on a path to continued future success."

“Chief Pecora possesses the right mix of experience, law enforcement expertise, forward-thinking leadership, and a love for Arlington Heights,” said Village Manager Randy Recklaus. “He is highly respected in the community, among the management team, and most importantly, within the Police Department. I know he will carry on and expand the Arlington Heights Police Department’s 125-year tradition of professional and high-quality law enforcement services during his tenure as Police Chief.”

Pecora will be formally sworn in during a ceremony at a village board meeting on Aug. 19.

Pecora will be the sixth police chief for the village of Arlington Heights.

Pecora's career with the Arlington Heights Police Department started in 1982 when he joined the department as a public service officer.

Pecora quickly rose through the ranks, successfully holding the positions of criminal investigator/police officer, police sergeant, a police commander and last serving the role of deputy chief since 2009 until being appointed acting police chief in June 2019.