Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk said men and women who have gone through the department's cadet program have become successful. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Palos Park cadet program labelled ‘monumentally successful’
By Jeff Vorva
Who knew in 1999 that a group of kids comprising a new police program in Palos Park would be this successful?
The Palos Park Police Department’s cadet program is entering its 24th year and at Monday night’s village council meeting, Mayor John Mahoney and Police Commissioner Dan Polk looked back and praised the initiative.
Mahoney called the program “monumentally successful” and Polk agreed.
“With the CIA and FBI and other national enforcement agencies plus state police, county police and local police, you can usually find a (former) Palos Park Police cadet,” Polk said. “The other important thing to point out is that they are not just law enforcement officers.
“They end up in other areas, particularly government. We’ve got people who are attorneys, we have legislators and it’s a terrific program. When you see those young men and women out there directing traffic in the summer at the Plush Horse, many of them are destined for greater things.”
Police Chief Joe Miller started up the program in 1999 and some of the training the cadets receive include accident investigations, CPR and first aid, crime scene search, crowd and traffic control and field searches.
Anyone looking to join the program can download an application at palospark.org.
The ‘fun stuff’
Commissioner Nicole Milovich-Walters said she had some “fun stuff” to announce regarding coming events in the village.
The Chili in the Park event will take place Feb. 11 at the Recreation Center.
The Palos Park Doggy Dash, which is a 5K or mile fun run and walking event, takes place May 20. Dogs and other pets are welcome, and plans are in the works for a PetPalooza event after the race on the Village Green.
Brunch with the Bunny and the Egg Hunt will take place April 1.
Wu parking request on hold
Wu’s House Restaurant has a parking lot extension request in limbo after it was rejected at a recent planning commission meeting.
Commissioner Mike Wade said that Wu’s representatives want to address comments made at that meeting at the Feb. 13 village council meeting.
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