Christopher Burne, the former deputy chief of police in Romeoville, has been named the new chief of police in Montgomery, village officials said.
Burne will succeed current Montgomery Police Chief Phil Smith, who will be retiring soon.
Burne will be sworn-in at the Montgomery Village Board meeting on July 13, but Smith will remain in his role until July 31, officials said.
Smith has served as Montgomery police chief since 2018.
Burne will bring some 30 years of combined military and law enforcement experience to Montgomery, according to village officials.
After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served around the world in multiple operations, according to a press release from the village.
After completing his military service, Burne began his law enforcement career with the Romeoville Police Department, spending 26 years with the department, the release said. He served in numerous assignments including Patrol, Gang Tactical, Special Operations Group, Detective Bureau, Traffic Division and Community Oriented Policing, according to officials.
He retired from the Romeoville Police Department as deputy chief of police.
In the release, Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley said that Burne’s “extensive leadership experience, commitment to community policing and dedication to developing future leaders make him an outstanding choice to lead the Montgomery Police Department.”
Montgomery Village Board member Doug Marecek said he is “looking forward to working with Chief Burne and looking into his knowledge and experience and what he brings to the village.”
Burne and his wife Lettie have five children, ranging in ages from 8 to 32 years old, the release said.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
