Edgar Navarro, Waukegan’s chief of police for the past three years, who climbed the ranks from a patrol officer over a 27-year career, plans to retire on July 17.
One of the city’s deputy chiefs — Craig Neal, Michael Mandro or Elias Agalianos — will likely head the department after Navarro retires.
Navarro announced his retirement during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Monday at City Hall, taking the opportunity to thank the community and department members.
“The chief said it all,” Mayor Sam Cunningham said of Navarro’s five-minute address near the start of the meeting, after which the mayor and the eight council members present congratulated him, many of them with hugs.
After the meeting, Cunningham said the next chief will “come directly from the ranks.” He did not set a precise timetable, but indicated the department is in good shape with strong leaders already in place.
“We have a lot of talent in the department,” Cunningham said, “We’ll look closely at our deputy chiefs to decide who will be the best person to elevate to be the next leader of the Waukegan Police Department.”
Though he did not comment specifically on any of the three deputy chiefs, Navarro said the role of deputy chief — he held the position before his promotion to chief three years ago — is the right training ground. Neal was already a deputy. Navarro promoted Mandro and Agalianos to the job.
“It provides experience leading an entire organization, making strategic decisions and balancing operational, personnel, financial and community responsibilities,” he said in an email Tuesday. “The role requires thinking beyond immediate issues and focusing on the long-term direction of the department.”
As a deputy chief, Navarro said the person becomes responsible for “long-range planning, implementing new initiatives and managing organizational change.” They deal with budgets in the tens of millions of dollars, he said. Choices are often difficult.
When his successor transitions from deputy to chief of the department, Navarro said their job changes from mostly managing operations to leading an entire organization and the responsibilities that go with the job.
“As chief, you must not only ensure the department functions effectively every day but also inspire employees, earn the confidence of the community, work collaboratively with elected officials and position the organization for long-term success,” he said.
During his speech Monday, Navarro said during his time in the department, he began as a patrol officer and also worked as a detective, sergeant, commander and interim chief before moving into his current role.
Coming out of the Illinois State Police Academy in 1999, Navarro said he was recruited by former Chief Miguel Juarez. Juarez became the first Latino head of the department. Navarro was the second Latino to hold the job.
Reducing crime was not his sole goal in leading the department. He said developing the trust of the community for the department was a crucial part of the job. Police tend to encounter many people on a bad day in their lives, either as someone getting arrested or as the victim of a crime.
“Public safety is built on relationships,” Navarro said. ‘It requires listening, transparency, accountability, and mutual respect. While there is always more work to do, I am proud of the progress we have made together.”
Expressing thanks to the community, Navarro said he appreciated the help he received from residents.
“Thank you to those who challenged us to be better, who supported our officers, who volunteered in your neighborhoods, who attended community meetings, and who believed that together we could continue making Waukegan a safer and stronger city,” he said.
During his remaining time in the department, Navarro said he is dedicated to “a seamless transition” as he works with Cunningham and department leadership “to provide stability throughout this process.”
