Anderson Becomes 1st Female Deputy Chief In Buffalo Grove History

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Tara Anderson is set to make history as the first female deputy chief of the Buffalo Grove Police Department in Village history. Anderson, a 25-year veteran of the BGPD, will officially be sworn in to the new position at Monday's Buffalo Grove Village Board meeting.

Anderson, currently a police commander, began her career with BGPD in 2000 as a desk officer and was sworn in as a police officer in 2001. She steadily rose through the ranks, promoted to sergeant in 2014, lieutenant in 2017, and commander in 2024. Over the years, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including youth investigator, administrative services sergeant, staff support lieutenant, and patrol commander.

"Tara has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, a strong commitment to professional development, and a deep dedication to public service," Police Chief Brian Budds said. "Her promotion is a reflection of her accomplishments, character, and the confidence we have in her ability to help guide the department forward. This is a historic and well-deserved milestone for both Tara and the Village."

Anderson holds a master's degree from DePaul University and is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. She is also a recipient of the Northwestern University Public Safety Executive Leadership Award and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police's Rising Shields of Law Enforcement Award. She currently serves as Vice Co-Chair and a founding member of the ILACP Women’s Leadership Section.

Her additional certifications include completion of the Midwest Leadership Institute, Enhanced Incident Management/Unified Command at Texas A&M, and the ILACP Eligible Police Chief designation. Anderson is also the recipient of numerous awards and unit citations.

"I'm honored to serve as Buffalo Grove’s next Deputy Chief of Police," Anderson said. "I sincerely thank Village Manager Bragg, Chief Budds, and the Village Board for their trust and confidence. It's a privilege to work alongside such a professional and community-focused team. I look forward to advancing the Department's commitment to safety, integrity, and excellence our residents have come to know and expect."