Western Springs Gets Deputy Police Chief

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – A detective who joined the Western Springs Police Department in 2013 was promoted to deputy chief Monday.

Detective Ashlee Niezgoda has served in numerous roles in the police department – patrol officer, field training officer, school resource officer, officer in charge, detective and senior detective.

She has a long history with the village, having been a member of Explorer Post 740, a local program for youths interested in law enforcement. She also was an auxiliary officer before becoming a sworn member of the department.

Niezgoda holds a bachelor's degree in technical management and business administration from DeVry University. She is pursuing graduate studies in project management at the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Niezgoda filled a position left vacant by Daniel Albrecht, who resigned May 1, soon after being suspended. Public records indicate he was under some type of investigation, but the village has not released details.

In mid-May, the police pension board approved Albrecht's pension. Albrecht was with the department for 22 years, the last five as its deputy chief.