Forest View swears in new police chief

By Carol McGowan

The Village of Forest View has a new police chief.

Steven Stelter was sworn in by Clerk Laura McGuffey at the February 22 village board meeting.

Stelter comes with an extensive career in law enforcement.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1979, where he was in the military police, Stelter began a long career with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office where he served until 2007.

During his almost 30 years in DuPage County, Stelter was a patrol officer, field training officer, sergeant-patrol watch commander, sergeant-community policing unit, detective sergeant, lieutenant, patrol watch commander, and deputy director of the DuPage County Auto Theft Task Force.

From 2007 to 2015, he was the chief of police in Brookfield, then went to the Westchester Police Department where he was police chief from 2016-2020.

In Westchester, he also served an interim village manager from June of 2017 to March of 2018.

He most recently worked as chief of the Indian Head Park Police Department from 2020 until accepting the chief’s position in Forest View.

When asked what made him decide on Forest View, “I was made aware of the position from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Since I have been a chief for the past 14 years in this general area, I felt Forest View would be an excellent department to bring my expertise to in regards to expanding the officers’ knowledge and abilities of the job which in turn makes for a safer community.”

Stelter most certainly has the experience, and education.  He received an Associate of Arts in Business Management from the College of DuPage, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Lewis University, and a Master of Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.

Since being sworn in, he says it’s been a very pleasant experience as the staff, officer and village officials have been very welcoming and supporting of him being hired.

When asked if he sees any changes in the works in Forest View, “It is too early for me to state any changes.  Over the next three months, I will be learning how the department operates, getting to know the personnel through everyday interactions and employee interviews, and once I get a grip on operations, I can then make meaningful and positive changes.”

Among the professional accomplishments on his law enforcement resume are: past president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, current vice president for the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics, Illinois, past president of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association, and currently parliamentarian of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association.

Besides looking forward to working in Forest View, Stelter says he’s always available to the community.  “I may not always be able to meet on the spot, but if someone wants to make an appointment to meet, or if they choose to call or email me, I will reach back out the them very promptly.”

Forest View officials are excited to have Stelter on board.

“Chief Stelter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any village, and Forest View is lucky to have such a well-qualified individual to lead the Police Department of Forest View,” said Mayor Nancy L. Miller.

Village Administrator Mike Dropka said, “I am confident in Chief Stelter’s abilities to lead our department, and extremely excited to have him join our Forest View family.”