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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER AND HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF THERESA ODUM
WHEREAS, on February 17, 1991, Theresa Odum was sworn in as a Patrol Officer for the Chicago Police Department and over the next 26 years moved up the ranks from Patrol Officer to Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Theresa Odum worked as a State's Attorney Investigator, assigned to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's Security Detail; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, Theresa Odum worked as Chief of the Security Detail for Toni Preckwinkle, President of Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, Theresa Odum also became Interim Chief of Police of the Forest Preserves of Cook County Department of Law Enforcement, and in 2021 was appointed to the position of Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, as Chief of Police, Theresa Odum was responsible for a staff of over 120 members of all ranks for sworn and civilian employees, including President Preckwinkle's Security Detail; and
WHEREAS, Chief Odum led years-long effort to implement initiatives to move the department closer to becoming a Model Forest Preserves Police Agency. These initiatives included, but were not limited to, updated Forest Preserves Police policies and procedures, and mandatory training. Under Chief Odum's leadership, the department placed renewed emphasis on policy development, data-driven decision-making, transparency, and the organizational structures necessary to support best practices; and
WHEREAS, Chief Odum was instrumental in modernizing departmental resources and advancing community-focused initiatives. She led efforts to acquire unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), new ATVs, UTVs, bicycles, and police vehicles, significantly enhancing operational capabilities. Additionally, she initiated the implementation of a records management system (RMS) to improve efficiency and data management; and
WHEREAS, beyond equipment and technology, Chief Odum champ...
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