Bridgeview’s newest sergeant has 20 years with department

By Steve Metsch

Bridgeview’s newest police sergeant has been with the department for 20 years.

Justin Brown, 43, was sworn in by Mayor Steve Landek at the Dec. 7 meeting of the village board.

The biggest change Brown anticipates is the extra duties expected in the job of sergeant.

“I’ve been responsible for handling myself, making sure I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing. Now, I’m responsible for making sure everybody beneath me is doing the same thing,” Brown said.

Being low man on the totem pole, so to speak, Brown will be working the midnight shift. That means starting at 10:30 p.m. and working until 6:45 a.m.

“This will be the first time I worked it (in years). I worked it when I first came on, for three or four months, but haven’t worked it since then,” he said.

“Helping people” is what he likes best about working in law enforcement.

His late father, Scott Brown, was a Chicago police officer for 26 years. The elder Brown was not a sergeant, but worked the demanding job of tactical officer for 17 years.

Asked about his favorite memories from 20 years spent patrolling the streets of Bridgeview, Brown said, “mostly, the people.”

“And the guys I work with,” he added. “It’s a very good group.”