The Village of Lincolnwood board voted to appoint Evanston deputy police chief Jay Parrott as its new chief of police Tuesday night. Parrott will start the new position on April 30.

Parrott worked with the Evanston Police Department for 26 years in many capacities, including as a commander in the patrol operations division.

He said about two dozen members of the Lincolnwood Police Department attended the board meeting in support of his appointment.

“Everybody was very supportive, I was very honored,” he said. “I appreciate them coming out.”

Still, Parrott said leaving Evanston is “bittersweet,” and that he is “very fond” of the city and its police department.

Evanston city manager Wally Bobkiewicz said Parrott has been a “tremendous” member of EPD, especially in increasing the department’s social media presence. Bobkiewicz said one of Parrott’s “many legacies” is Evanston’s body camera program, which he launched earlier this year.

All Evanston field officers have been required to wear body cameras while on duty since January. Chief of Police Richard Eddington said even though body cameras have certain limitations, Americans have come to expect footage of most police interactions.

“He’s done exceptional work for the department in the body camera program,” Eddington said. “That was an extremely complicated process based on … Illinois law. He led the team that got that done for us in less than a year, which is in my opinion a spectacular accomplishment.”

Parrott said he wants to listen to the Lincolnwood community before making any decisions on strategies for the police department.

“It’s premature to talk about anything I have planned for Lincolnwood,” he said. “I really want to hear from the officers that work there and the other personnel that support the police department.”

Eddington said he has not yet begun a search to find a replacement for Parrott, but that he will conduct an internal search within the department.

“I’m sure we have a number of talented people who will be eligible for promotion to this position,” Eddington said, adding that when a high ranking officer leaves EPD it creates a “ripple effect” in the department.

He said a commander would replace Parrott, creating an opening for a sergeant to replace that commander.

Eddington will make recommendations to Bobkiewicz, and the two will interview the candidates jointly. The selection process could take a few months, Bobkiewicz said.

“He’ll do a fine job in Lincolnwood, and it’s good to know he’s just one town over,” Bobkiewicz said.

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