Oak Lawn Police Department Names New Top Cop

OAK LAWN, IL -- A high ranking Oak Lawn police officer has been promoted to chief of village police. William R. Palmer, the division chief of investigations, will helm the Oak Lawn Police Department, replacing the current police chief Michael Murray, who is retiring next month. Palmer is the eleventh police chief to serve the Village of Oak Lawn since the first chief was appointed some 100 years ago.

Word around village hall was that Palmer was on the short list for consideration as the new chief when it became known that Murray was planning to retire. Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen said in a news release that Palmer was selected after an “extensive selection process” seeking candidates from within the police department.

Deetjen remarked that the village’s police department has a strong history of education and training. He praised the internal candidates and their commitment to delivering quality public safety services to Oak Lawn residents, businesses and visitors. Calling the village’s future leadership within the police department strong, Deetjen thanked outgoing Chief Murray for his 30 years of service to the village and four years as chief of Oak Lawn’s police department.

Palmer is a 20-plus year veteran of the Oak Lawn Police Department and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was appointed division chief of investigations in 2014 and serves as the department’s public information officer. Palmer rose through the ranks, serving as watch commander for patrol, patrol lieutenant and detective sergeant. He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice.

The new chief appointee attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, and has served 13 years on the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. Palmer has also played a key role in numerous regional murder investigations and his professional references lauded his efforts in this key regional responsibility.

“Contemporary times have put the national spotlight on police departments and their officers,” Deetjen said. “Chief Palmer adherence to our local ordinances and our U.S. Constitution with respect to individual rights and safety, and the protection of law abiding residents of our great village of Oak Lawn.”

Palmer takes over as village police chief on July 28.

PHOTO: Oak Lawn's next police chief, William R. "Randy" Palmer fields questions from reporters at a June press conference