Northbrook Police Chief John Ustich To Retire After 30 Years Of Service

NORTHBROOK, IL — Northbrook Police Chief John Ustich is retiring after three decades of service with the village, officials announced. Ustich submitted his retirement letter to Village Manager Cara Pavlicek on May 19, and his last day with the village will be July 1.

As chief, Ustich oversees a department of 66 sworn officers, 31 civilian employees and part-time crossing guards, with an operating budget of nearly $20 million. He is the 24th person to hold Northbrook's top law enforcement post since 1902, when Gust Fisher was named the first Village Marshall.

“From my very first day here, my goal was to become the best officer I could possibly be. When I moved into a supervisory role, that goal shifted to leaving this department better than it was when I arrived,” Ustich said.

Ustich, a U.S. Navy veteran, began his law enforcement career in Northbrook in 1996 as a patrol officer. He was assigned as a detective in 2007, promoted to sergeant in 2010, became patrol commander in 2019 and deputy chief in May 2023. He later served as interim chief before Pavlicek appointed him police chief in December 2024.

“Under the Chief’s leadership, the Police Department has continued to evolve to meet the changing dynamics of public safety, which are substantive, even in a safe community like Northbrook," Pavlicek said.

The village will hold a retirement celebration on June 30, with details to be shared on the village website closer to the event. Pavlicek will conduct an internal search for the next police chief in the coming weeks.

“Our community is grateful to Chief Ustich for his steady and thoughtful leadership during an important time in law enforcement," Village President Kathryn Ciesla said. "Beyond his commitment to public safety and accountability, Chief Ustich has built strong relationships throughout the community through open communication, accessibility, and genuine care for our residents. His willingness to listen, engage, and support the people of Northbrook has made a meaningful impact. We thank him for his dedicated service to both our country as a veteran and to the Village of Northbrook.