Lake County Gazette

The Village of Lindenhurst has announced the appointment of Melinda M. Linas as the new Chief of Police for the Lindenhurst Police Department. Linas brings over 26 years of experience in law enforcement, having most recently served as Commander of the 14th district for the City of Chicago.

Linas began her public service career in 1997 with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, achieving the rank of second lieutenant. She later served in the Illinois Army Reserve as a commanding officer. Her law enforcement career started in 1999 when she joined the Chicago Police Department (CPD) as a police officer. Over time, she advanced through various ranks, including sergeant, lieutenant, and commander.

Her experience covers multiple areas such as operations, undercover narcotics, vice-licensing, accreditation, community safety, and constitutional policing and reform. Linas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She is also a member of the Illinois Bar Association and a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.

Throughout her career, Linas has shown dedication to professionalism, integrity, and community engagement. She has led teams that provide high-quality service while treating individuals with dignity and respect. A proponent of 21st Century Community Policing, she values collaboration with stakeholders to build meaningful relationships.

Linas is recognized for her leadership and advocacy for mental and physical wellness among police officers. She frequently speaks on these topics at regional and national law enforcement conferences.

As Lindenhurst's first female Chief of Police, Linas will maintain high standards of public safety while working to make the department a model for professionalism and policing excellence. She will also assess current facilities as part of exploring a new municipal complex.

In her role, she will lead a team comprising 15 full-time sworn officers, including a commander and four sergeants, along with three part-time sworn officers and a full-time records assistant. Linas will be officially sworn in at the Village Board Meeting on March 24.

Information from this article can be found here.