The Italian American Police Association will honor Niles Police Chief Joseph Romano on Oct. 4 at Chateau Ritz in Niles. The IAPA will also honor Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department Chief of Police Leo Schmitz (Police Officer of the Year Award), Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood (Lifetime Achievement Award), and attorney David Petrich and businessman and philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson (Special Recognition Award). The following profile was provided by the IAPA.
Joseph Romano grew up in the Niles area and attended Nelson Elementary School and Gemini Junior High School in Niles. In 1983, while attending Maine East High School, Romano started as a Police Explorer with the Niles Police Department. He was eventually hired by the Police Department and has held every position on his way to his current post as Chief of Police.
