Mokena Police Chief Announces Retirement

MOKENA, IL — Mokena Police Chief Steve Vaccaro has retired after serving as chief for over 6 years. The Mokena Village Board held a special board meeting on Friday, and the retirement/voluntary separation agreement was unanimously approved.

In November, the Village hired independent counsel to investigate after patrol officers and sergeants of the Mokena Police Department wrote a letter expressing a lack of confidence in Vaccaro. Later that month, former Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy was named interim chief while the investigation continued.

Village Administrator John Tomasoski told Patch the investigation was still in its preliminary stages when Vaccaro announced his retirement.

According to a release from the village, Vaccaro became the Mokena Police Chief in March 2014. Before coming to Mokena, he served as a deputy chief of police in Tinley Park, where he worked for 24 years and served as President of the Police Chiefs Association of Will County.

Vaccaro obtained his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management, according to the village.

The village said Vaccaro obtained emergency preparedness certification through the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System agency, implemented an automatic license plate reader system to prevent neighborhood crime, engaged with other law enforcement communities to maximize resources, facilitated the Village’s transition to a consolidated dispatch center, and was a supporter of Special Olympics Illinois including participating in the “Cops on Top” program to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Illinois.

Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer congratulated Vaccaro on his retirement and thanked him for his dedication.

Fleischer told Patch that Vaccaro performed with "pride and honor," and that "he was respected by the businesses and the residents."

"He will be missed," he said.

Tomasoski said the village is currently planning its next steps on the process of finding a new chief.