Frankfort Swears In 2 New Police Officers

FRANKFORT, IL — Two new officers have joined the ranks at the Frankfort Police Department. At the Tuesday meeting for the Frankfort Village Board, police officers Jessica Kaemerer and Kevin O'Keefe were sworn in by Mayor Jim Holland.

"It was in November of 2018 that the people of Frankfort agreed to increase the taxes here on sales," Holland said. "This board told the people if you do that...the main place that we're going to spend the money is on our police department, and we're going to add to the police department."

Holland said the board told the community it would go from 28 officers to 33 officers.

"Actually, we're at 35 now," Holland said. "This is because the community wants you here. This community believes in our police department."

Kaemerer is a graduate of Lincoln-Way West High School, Holland said. She has a Bachelor's degree in criminology with a minor in chemistry and forensic science from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she was also a softball player.

Kaemerer decided on a career in law enforcement to help others.

"Perfect, that's just what we're looking for," Holland said.

O'Keefe graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. He has a Bachelor's degree in political science with a concentration in civic leadership and a minor in criminology from the University of Illinois, Holland said.

O'Keefe aspires to continue training and advancing his career with the Frankfort Police Department.

Each officer has gone through a 14-week police academy and 12 to 14 weeks of field training, Chief John Burica said.