Orland Park Police Chief Joe Mitchell Announces Retirement

ORLAND PARK, IL — After 27 years of dedicated service to the Orland Park, Chief Joe Mitchell has announced that he will retire effective March 25.

During his 27-year career in law enforcement, Mitchell rose through the ranks, taking on the public safety roles of patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, commander, deputy chief and finally, chief of police for the past two years.

Mitchell also served briefly as the interim assistant village manager for the Village of Orland Park in 2019.

The chief’s efforts have focused on Orland Park Police Department's community and business engagement efforts, crime reduction through the use of state-of-the-art technology and training, robust task forces, including the FBI and DEA. Mitchell also has spearheaded village-wide initiatives such as addressing mental illness through the creation and the continuation of the department’s nationally recognized crisis intervention team focusing on response to mental health related incidents and subsequent partnership with Trinity Services to better address the needs of those with mental health concerns.

Mitchell and the Orland Park Police Department are actively involved with the Law Enforcement Torch Run and fundraising for Illinois Special Olympics.

“Chief Mitchell has faithfully and diligently served the Village of Orland Park,” Mayor Keith Pekau said in a news release. "He has provided steadfast and dependable leadership to the men and women of the Orland Park Police Department throughout his period as chief. In 2021, the Village of Orland Park had the lowest number of index crimes in 27 years and was recently named the eighth-safest small city in America, thanks to his outstanding leadership.”

Mitchell earned a bachelor of science degree from Lewis University, and was the valedictorian of the Chicago Police Academy in 1995. He is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University and has a master's in public service with distinction from DePaul University. Mitchell is also a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy Class.

Upon Mitchell’s retirement, Deputy Chief Eric Rossi will be appointed interim chief of police until a permanent chief of police is selected.

"Chief Mitchell is an exemplary professional whose presence will be missed," said Village Manager George Koczwara. "We wish him the best in his retirement, and thank him for his many years of public service to the Orland Park community."