Darien Sergeant Mike Lorek will become the police department's next deputy chief on Nov. 14, stepping into the role after 25 years on the force.
The Darien Police Department announced the promotion on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Lorek joined the department on Sept. 27, 2001. He started as a patrol officer and was promoted to sergeant in August 2016. He has served as both a patrol sergeant and detective sergeant.
Over his career, Lorek has served as a SWAT sniper, field training officer, juvenile officer, crisis intervention team member, evidence technician and firearms instructor. He is also a certified lead homicide investigator.
In April 2008, Lorek earned a Life Saving Award after responding to a medical emergency at a local business. He found an unresponsive man who was not breathing and had no detectable pulse, according to the department. Lorek performed CPR until fire personnel arrived. The patient made a full recovery.
Lorek holds a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University, earned in 2001. In 2020, he completed the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety. The department described the program as focused on preparing law enforcement supervisors for executive leadership.
The department did not address in its announcement what prompted the opening or whether the position had been vacant.
