CHIEF SCOTT PIERITZ
Chief Scott S. Pieritz was hired by The Crete Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. While a patrol officer he served as a field training officer, truck enforcement officer, Taser instructor, and other duties. He was assigned to The Will County Gang/Drug Suppression Unit and The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. He received numerous department honorable mentions for work done in drug investigations and search warrants. In 2010, he was promoted to Sergeant. During this time his responsibilities included supervisor of community policing initiatives, drug investigations, field training, department scheduling, traffic details, and other duties. As Sergeant, he attended all (3) Northwestern University police supervision training programs including; Police Supervision (80 hours), Police Staff and Command (400 hours), and Executive Management Training (120 hours). He received special recognition for completing all programs, and received Northwestern’s Public Safety Leadership Award. In 2011, he received special recognition by The Illinois Department of Transportation for obtaining (50) DUI arrests. He was also recognized by MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) for his proactive DUI enforcement efforts. In 2016, he had the distinct honor to be accepted into The FBI National Academy Leadership Program (440 hours) Class #266. During this time, he trained at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA with 220 other law enforcement professionals from around the country and world. He graduated from the FBI Academy in December of 2016 , with special recognition of (16) graduate credit hours through the University of Virginia. In 2017, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief. During this time he focused on expanding the police department’s community policing programs. In October of 2018 he was assigned to Interim Police Chief. In April of 2019, he was officially appointed as Acting Chief of Police by Village President Michael Einhorn with the endorsement of the Crete Village Board.
Chief Pieritz has an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (2021). He was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration (Master’s Degree Program). He is an adjunct instructor at Olivet Nazarene College, teaching criminal justice classes.
Chief Pieritz prides himself on being heavily involved in community programs and using his platform as chief to “better” his little corner of the world. “Police and community relationships are essential for good communication and overall public safety. In Law Enforcement, there is time for arrest and ticketing, but mostly, there must be time for empathy, problem-solving, and service to your community.”(Chief Pieritz). During his time as Deputy Chief and Chief of Police, he as greatly expanded community outreach and involvement. Including; social media, creation of annual “Crete Community Clean-Up Day,” expanded Special Olympics involvement and fundraisers (raising $18,000 in 2022), annual “Shop-With-A-Cop Christmas event, annual food pantry drives, department involvement in National Night Out, creation of police department therapy dog (Lilly) program, and many other programs. His overall philosophy is simple, “Do things for the right reasons, use your platform for good, and keep your mind on the objective, not the obstacle.
“Regardless of the opportunities in life, the influence of others, or the ability of self, ultimately you are the one who decides where and how far you go.” – Steven S. Pieritz (aka mman).
