Meet Hinsdale's 3 New Cops

HINSDALE, IL — Late last year, the Hinsdale Police Department advertised three officer positions, attracting scores of applicants. On Tuesday, Village President Tom Cauley swore in three new officers, with much of the police force on hand for the ceremony at the village board meeting. The new officers are:

• David Rodriguez, a Chicago resident, attended Yorkville High School and St. Xavier College in Chicago, where he played soccer and double-majored in political science and international studies.

• Mike Dzierzega, a Bridgeview resident, attended Argo Community High School in Summit and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., where he played football and earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

• Jim Litrenta, an Orland Park resident, attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank and the University of South Dakota, where he played football and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology.

With much of the audience in uniform, Cauley said the officers' attendance showed how close-knit the police department is. He said many officers have spent their entire careers with the Hinsdale Police Department.

Starting pay for Hinsdale officers is $68,748 this year, but will rise to $72,053 in mid-2021, according to the union contract. Hinsdale ranks well both statewide and nationally with its pay. In Illinois, average officer pay is $43,000, compared with nearly $50,000 nationally, according to ZipRecruiter.com. Earning a bachelor's degree is a requirement in the Hinsdale department.