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Health & Fitness

Kaye Heidenreich, MWRD Chief of Police, lays down the law at water reclamation district

MWRD's Chief of Police Kaye Heidenreich leads the organization's public safety effort.

 

As a highly-secured wastewater utility, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) devotes extensive resources to protecting MWRD equipment, properties and people based on recommendations provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. MWRD’s Chief of Police Kaye Heidenreich leads the public safety effort and recently completed  Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety Executive Management Program (EMP).

Chief Heidenreich was raised in Bridgeview, graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School in 1981 and lives in Chicago. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Xavier University in Chicago in May 1999, and she graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago in May 2002 with a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

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Chief Heidenreich began her pursuit of a career in public safety by becoming an MWRD Police Officer in Sept. 1996. She was promoted to Police Sergeant in June 1998, then was promoted again to Chief of Police in April 2007. She completed coursework in Staff and Command in March 2002 at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety, and more recently, completed Northwestern’s EMP program. The EMP provides intensive instruction for policy making executives and combines management principles with the study of emerging law enforcement issues.

Chief Heidenreich manages 48 staff members, which includes police officers, sergeants, lieutenants and administrative staff. Her main role is to oversee the protection of the MWRD’s citizens, employees and assets while ensuring her staff is trained in best management and legal practices. She oversees the arrest of offenders on MWRD property and works with the Circuit Courts of Cook County.  She also works with federal, state, county and other local law enforcement jurisdictions on criminal enforcement issues to ensure the protection of the MWRD’s critical infrastructure.

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Chief Heidenreich has enjoyed her career in law enforcement.

“I chose policing to be able to make a difference in the community and to help people,” Chief Heidenreich said.  “I enjoy being an advocate for the service we provide for taxpayers and citizens. When I interact with large groups of people at town hall meetings or events, it is an opportunity to let the public know that we are there and can offer assistance for many of their problems.”

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