'Very Clear Choice' For Elmhurst Top Cop

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin hailed the new police chief Tuesday as the right person for the position.

Without discussion, the council unanimously approved interim Chief Michael McLean for the top job. Members Mark Mulliner, Bob Dunn and Brian Cahill were absent.

City Manager Jim Grabowski recommended McLean take the police department's reins.

McLean became the interim chief in April when then-Police Chief Michael Ruth took medical leave. Ruth died May 30.

After the vote, Levin praised the selection of McLean.

"I will tell you that without hesitation, the council agreed on this very clear choice for leadership of our police department," the mayor said.

He said public safety was the city's most important job.

"We are a city where our residents truly appreciate our officers and very much respect the job that they do," Levin said. "We think we have one of the best police departments in the state. I didn't say best because someone might get offended."

Police officers and firefighters attended the swearing-in. A police honor guard opened the meeting.

A Patch story last week included details on McLean's police experience.