Held Promoted to Acting Police Chief in Lake Forest

Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief James Held will be recommended to serve as the city's interim police chief at the May 21 in response to the retirement of current Chief Joe Buerger.

and was originally going to stay until Sept. 7. However, he recently accepted a new position with the Global Product Security team of Randstad Pharma in Deerfield, and he has been asked to start May 29.

"They have asked that I start work with their team and I decided to take advantage of this great opportunity,” said Buerger, who has spent 25 years with the

Held will assume the position after serving on the Lake Forest Police force since 1985. He joined the department as a patrol officer and investigator, a position he held until 1993. During the next 10 years, he served the Department as a patrol officer/officer-in-charge, sergeant, commander and commander of investigations until 2011.

“I am honored and excited to be recommended by the City Manager to serve the City of Lake Forest in the acting Police Chief role while the search is conducted," Held said. "Joe Buerger has served as an outstanding role model for the entire department, and I hope to be able to continue his legacy while I am in office."

Held was promoted to deputy chief, operations division, in May of 2011 and was assigned to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Police Department and was responsible for supervising 33 officers, nine civilians and seven line supervisors.

Held regularly collaborates with City staff on special event planning, and currently is involved with surrounding communities and organizations on programs and events.

Held is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., received his bachelor's degree in applied behavioral science in 2009 and his masters in organizational leadership in 2010. Held continues to take classes in senior management leadership at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety.

Lake Forest typically conducts a national search for high level positions on the staff such as police chief.

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