Oswego's Baird Named 2014 Police Chief of the Year

On Friday, the village announced that Oswego Police Chief Dwight Baird has been named the 2014 Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission.

Baird, who last spring announced his candidacy for Kendall County Sheriff, said he was interviewed Jan. 10 by reps from the commission, but did not learn he had been chosen until Jan. 29.

"I felt good about [the interview], but I didn't know," he said. "I was very happy to have this prestigious honor."

Baird credited the hard work of the men and women of the Oswego Police Department with helping him snag the honor, along with initiatives like the the citizens police academy and junior police academy.

"They said they had looked at our website," Baird said. "They saw a lot of community involvement with the department, a lot of youth programs."

Other initiatives, such a heroin forum held last April at Oswego High School, also drew praise from the commission, according to Baird.

"I was so humbled [by the honor]," he said. Baird will officially be recognized during the Illinois State Crime Commission banquet in June.

"On behalf of the Village Board, I would like to congratulate Chief Baird for this most prestigious award.  This is a true testament of the commitment and levels of service that Chief Baird and the entire Oswego Police Department demonstrates daily," Village President Brian LeClercq said in a statement. "The Village of Oswego is privileged to have Chief Baird as a member of our team for his leadership, professionalism and accomplishments."