Today, the Village of Forest Park proudly welcomed Daniel Pater as our new Police Chief. The Village Council, Police and Fire Departments, and Village staff were thrilled to gather for his swearing-in ceremony and celebrate this important milestone for our community.

Chief Pater brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to public safety. A six-year veteran of the United States Army, he also holds a degree in Public Safety Administration. His career with the Forest Park Police Department began as a patrol officer before he joined the Tactical Response Unit, working alongside patrol officers and investigators to address crime patterns throughout the village.

Chief Pater was promoted to sergeant in 2018 and lieutenant in January 2023, when he took on leadership of the department’s investigations. Throughout his career, he has also served as a use-of-force instructor, public information officer, and member of the Special Response Team. He has contributed to updating the village’s emergency response plan and has extensive experience in specialized law enforcement operations.

We congratulate Chief Pater on his appointment and thank him for his years of service to Forest Park. I look forward to working with him and our entire Police Department as we continue our commitment to keeping Forest Park a safe and welcoming community for all.