Crystal Lake's New Police Chief Sworn into Office

Crystal Lake's new police chief is officially on the job.

Chief James R. Black was sworn into office on Tuesday night by Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley during the regularly scheduled city council meeting.

Black was joined by his wife and family for the ceremony as well as several members of the Crystal Lake Police Department and Fire Rescue Department.

Black was selected from among 77 submissions to replace retiring Police Chief David Linder after an extensive national recruitment search. He comes to Crystal Lake from west suburban Downers Gorve, where he served as acting deputy police chief.

The new chief, who began his position on Jan. 7, has a strong law enforcement management background and a dedication to professional staff development and training, according to a press release issued by the city.

For the past 25 years, he served the Downers Grove Police Department in the capacity of police officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, operations lieutenant and deputy police chief, the release stated.

Black graduated from the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminal and social justice from Lewis University.