Lockport Reappoints Lemming As Police Chief, Approves Successor

LOCKPORT, IL — As Mayor Steve Streit begins his third term in office, the Lockport city council reappointed Terry Lemming as Lockport Police chief at its Wednesday meeting. In addition to reappointing Lemming, the city council also approved Richard Harang as the next chief of police when Lemming retires.

"The appointment of the chief goes in tandem with the mayor," Mayor Steve Streit said.

Lockport city code states that the mayor, with the consent of the city council, appoints or dismisses the chief of police. Lemming was first appointed to chief of police in 2013 and reappointed in 2017, according to council documents.

"You've totally transformed the department," Streit said of Lemming. "...You have done a magnificent job of creating a community-oriented department."

Streit said he would have loved to see Lemming serve all four years of his appointed term, but Lemming will retire Aug. 15.

However, Illinois Municipal Code states that the retirement age for a police officer is 65 years old. Lemming will soon turn 66 years old.

"It's pretty clear that this mandate is for rank-and-file police [officers]," Streit said, adding that police chiefs are a more administrative role.

When looking into the statute, Streit said the city heard from several police chiefs who are older than 65.

"This is something that's very doable and common that happens all the time," Streit said.

However, "in order to cross all our t's and dot all our i's," Streit said, the city adopted an ordinance authorizing Lemming to work past 65 years old until Aug. 15. The ordinance will expire on Aug. 15, so it does not apply to future police chiefs.

Because there was concern over whether the ordinance would be allowed, Streit said he found Lemming's replacement, current deputy chief Richard Harang.

Harang has served with the Lockport Police Department for 22 years, Streit said.

Streit said Harang is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Concern was raised about Harang not having a bachelor's degree, Streit said, but Harang is scheduled to have it completed by next year.

Alderwoman Christina Bergbower was the sole 'no' vote to Lemming's reappointment and the ordinance authorizing the chief to serve beyond 65 years of age. She did not give a reason for her vote during the meeting.

In an email with Patch, Bergbower said Lemming has been "a great asset" to the city, but she voted no due to the precedent set by extending the retirement age.

"If in the future say another chief or police employee wanted to extend their retirement for reasons unto them, they could go to the board and ask for them," she said. "If denied we may be in quite the pickle."

She said she fully supported the board's decision, but felt her vote was the right thing to do.