Broadview Promotes 1st African-American as Deputy Police Chief

(Broadview, IL) – The Village of Broadview approved on Monday the appointment of the west suburban Cook County community’s first African-American deputy police chief.

The Board of Trustees voted, 4-0, on November 1 to promote Broadview Police Sgt. Pierre Smith to the vacant post of deputy chief of the Broadview Police Department, following an abrupt, unexpected retirement of the job’s previous occupant earlier this year.

Broadview’s top elected official praises Smith.

“This is an excellent choice by our new police chief, Thomas Mills, to promote Pierre Smith to the job of deputy chief,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson. “When Broadview had back-to-back retirements by police department leaders with only two-weeks’ notice earlier this year, Pierre Smith stepped up to the plate with no questions asked, coming to my office and said “What can I do to assist.’ So I want to thank Pierre Smith for stepping up and looking out for Broadview.”

Smith vows to give the job “110% and a little bit more.”

“This promotion is an honor for me, and I am going to do everything in my power to move Broadview forward,” said Deputy Chief Smith, who was sworn in after the board vote with his wife and two sons present. “This isn’t a ‘me’ thing; it’s a ‘we’ thing. We are going to do this together, and I’m going to give this job 110% and a little bit more.”

The trustees also voted to promote Broadview Police Sgt. Michael Akim to the rank of police lieutenant.

Trustee Judy Miller applauds promotions from within the department.

“I appreciate that the Village of Broadview is taking these decisions to promote internally,” said Miller. “The promotion gives our kids something to look forward to say that you can make a career in Broadview.”

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