Mike Yott still spends most weekends on the move — coaching baseball, cheering at lacrosse games, and trying to keep up with three kids who seem to live at the nearest sports field.
“We’re running all over the place,” Yott said with a laugh. “Coaching, fields, family — it’s nonstop.”
But this spring, Yott added a new role to the rotation: Chief of Police in Palos Heights.
After 20 years with the department — and a legacy rooted even deeper — Yott officially stepped into the city’s top public safety role. For him, it’s more than a career milestone.
“It’s something you work for your whole career,” Yott said. “You’re excited, a little nervous… there’s pride, accomplishment. It’s emotional.”
He’s been with the department since 2004, but his roots run even longer. His father, Larry Yott, served as Palos Heights’ police chief for two decades before retiring in 2023.
“My dad was actually the chief here,” Yott said. “He was chief for the last 20 years of his career. It’s just something I grew up in.”
Yott didn’t always plan to wear the badge. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a finance degree, he spent four years behind a desk at a bank before the itch for something different took hold.
“I was 25 and thought, if I don’t try this now, I never will,” he said.
He joined the Evanston Police Department, went through the academy, and quickly found a long-term home in Palos Heights.
Though the community has stayed largely the same, Yott said the profession has evolved dramatically.
“Palos Heights has always been a great place, very supportive of the police,” he said. “But policing itself has changed a ton. Every few years, expectations shift — the protocols, the public’s needs, everything.”
As chief, Yott says leadership can’t be rigid. He leans on flexibility, support, and an open-door philosophy.
“Every situation is different. If something isn’t working, we need to change it. If it is working — great, let’s build on it.”
He isn’t one to dictate. He believes in letting others lead and take ownership of their work.
“I want the people around me to be great. I want them to get recognition, to shine,” Yott said. “I think people can see that’s how I like to do things.”
His style isn’t identical to that of his predecessor, former Chief William Czajkowski, but their vision always matched.
“We worked together forever. He was my first sergeant when I started,” Yott said. “Our personalities are different, but our goals were always the same.”
The two complemented each other — Yott’s strengths filled Czajkowski’s gaps and vice versa. Even now, they talk often.
“He’ll always be on my speed dial,” Yott said. “We became very close friends over the years.”
While taking over as chief can often mean coming in from the outside, Yott has the advantage of trust — not just from his team, but from the public.
“We’ve built a culture here,” he said. “You always want to improve on the last guy. When it’s no longer my turn, I expect the next chief to do even better.”
That relationship with the public includes online outreach — something Yott and the department have leaned into in recent years. Their Facebook page has become a consistent tool for public engagement.
“That’s been a big initiative over the last few years,” Yott said. “We weren’t really on there before. But now, it’s how things work.”
Morgan Pukula, the department’s administrative assistant, handles much of the social media posting. Yott credits her with helping to keep the department visible, responsive, and relatable.
“Morgan does most of our posts, and it really helps us keep people in the loop,” he said. “At first you’re leery of social media, but now we realize — people are paying attention.”
It’s not just about updates. It’s about connection.
“With all the gear we wear, we don’t always look approachable. But people see us online, or out in the community, and realize — we’re just people, too.”
“We’ve got good officers here. They’re just good human beings. They’re here for the right reasons.”
That down-to-earth energy carries over into Yott’s life outside the department. He and his wife, Christy, have been married 24 years and are raising three kids in the southwest suburbs.
Their oldest, Kayla, heads to the University of Kentucky this fall. Gavin, their middle child, plays lacrosse and is currently recovering from a sports injury. Mason, their youngest, plays 12U baseball — with Yott helping coach the team.
“They were very, very excited when I got the promotion,” Yott said. “It’s a win for them, too.”
The department shared its own message of support after Yott’s appointment was announced: “The men and women of the Palos Heights Police Department look forward to this new chapter and to continuing to provide excellent service to our citizens under Chief Yott’s leadership.”
But titles don’t mean much to Yott. He’s still just Mike to most — even if the younger officers only know him as “Chief.”
“It’s weird to hear sometimes,” he said, laughing. “But I get it. It’s the role now.”