Sgt. Matthew Smizinski of the Lake Bluff Police Department will become deputy chief on Nov. 1.
Q. When did you decide you wanted to become a police officer?
A. I went to college to study psychology and law enforcement. I attended Western Illinois University with the thought of potential federal law enforcement. It was during my internship to complete the law enforcement side that I really thought about local law enforcement.
Q. Any other factors that led you to municipal law enforcement.
A. I was in college when 9/11 happened. I think in the back of my mind, it had some impact.
Q. Before becoming a police officer, did you have any other jobs?
A. When I was in high school, I worked for a company called McFrugal’s. I ended up being a customer service manager and clothing manager before I went off to college.
Q. When did you start with the Lake Bluff Police?
A. Oct. 7, 2002.
Q. What roles have you taken on at the department?
A. I started off as a patrol officer. I went through evidence tech training, drug enforcement training and was a member of the mobile field force. I was promoted to sergeant in 2007. Since then I’ve been CALEA coordination manager, taken part in an intergovernmental risk management agency and been a field training supervisor.
Q. You went back to college for a master’s degree?
A. I earned a master’s in forensic psychology.
Q. What are some of the more interesting crimes or incidents you’ve been involved with?
A. Working for a small agency, you get to experience so many different calls. Property crimes and crimes against persons. I’ve been involved with home invasion cases and helping someone with an animal complaint.
Q. What do you do outside of work?
A. I have a wonderful six-year-old son and a wife. I love to do home repairs and woodworking, which I learned from my father.
Q. I’m told you’ve also taken part in the Polar Plunge?
A. I did it a few times. It was fun.
