Evanston Deputy Chief Named Lincolnwood's New Top Cop

LINCOLNWOOD, IL — After 91 applicants and a nationwide search, Lincolnwood trustees have approved the appointment of Jay Parrott as the village's new chief of police. Parrott is currently deputy chief of Evanston police. The Village Board endorsed his appointment after interviewing him in closed session on March 20 and voted on final approval Tuesday.

Former Chief Robert LaMantia retired on Dec. 1 after 11 years in charge in Lincolnwood and more than 26 years with the Wilmette Police Department. Retired Chicago Deputy Chief Bruce Rottner was tapped to serve as interim chief, and the village hired the Northbrook-based human resources company GovHR USA to head the search for LaMantia's successor.

Mayor Barry Bass, along with Rottner, two members of his police advisory committee, Assistant Village Manager Ashley Engelmann and Village Manager Timothy Wiberg, conducted the first round of interviews of candidates recommended by the firm in early March. They unanimously selected Parrott as the best choice, according to a member from village staff.

"I spent many years in and around Lincolnwood as a teenager and as an adult, it is a wonderful community," Parrott said. "I have a very simple parallel plan as a transition into this position, keep the Village of Lincolnwood safe for residents, visitors and businesses, and keep the precious personnel of the Lincolnwood Police Department safe in performing their mission."

With an annual budget of nearly $8 million, the Lincolnwood Police Department has 38 full-time staffers and three part-time employees.

"This was a rigorous interview process consisting of some of the highest caliber candidates one could ever have before you," Bass said. "Lincolnwood was very fortunate to have a good number of applicants and extremely great names."

Parrott "just shined above and beyond anyone that we interviewed and brought back," according to the mayor.

Parrott has been with the Evanston Police Department for 26 years. He was most recently deputy chief in charge of support services and was the point person on the department's full implementation of body-worn cameras earlier this year. He has also previously served as the lead spokesman for the department and spent two years with the Naperville Police Department. He has a master's degree in business law from Loyola University.