Crime & Safety
Highland Park Announces Interim Police Chief
Ex-Vernon Hills PD Chief Mark Fleischhauer will take over for outgoing HPPD Chief Paul Shafer and serve for about five months.
HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The former police chief of Vernon Hills was tapped to head the Highland Park Police Department in an interim capacity, city officials announced Tuesday. Highland Park Police Chief Paul Shafer announced his retirement last month and will step down Wednesday. The following day, Interim Chief Mark Fleischhauer will take over for about five months while the city undertakes a national search to find a new permanent chief.
“It is an honor to be called on by the City of Highland Park to lead the Highland Park Police Department as Interim Police Chief. I look forward to serving the community in this capacity,” said Fleischhauer.
Highland Park’s police force consists of 57 sworn officers and 12 non-sworn personnel.
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“Chief Fleischhauer has a wealth of experience and has a strong commitment to public safety,” said City Manager Ghida Neukirch. “He was selected from several experienced individuals to lead and support the Department during the transition period and assist in the recruitment process.” (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Highland Park — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)
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Fleischhauer has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years, most recently as chief of police for the Vernon Hills Police Department. He has also served as deputy chief for the Palatine Police Department, team leader for the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, chairman of training of the Northwest Police Academy, past president of the executive board of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association, chairman of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, a member of the Lake County Emergency Communications Task Force, as well as other numerous accomplishments.
Throughout his career, Fleischhauer has remained committed to strengthening collaboration between community members and their law enforcement officials to overcome challenges and help build safe, healthy neighborhoods, according to city officials.
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