Paul M. Harlow is a Vice President with GovHR USA with 38 years of municipal experience in both public safety and municipal management for the Village of Glencoe, Illinois on Chicago’s North Shore. This included 10 years as Director of Public Safety (Police and Fire Chief) of the Village’s fully consolidated Public Safety Department and 13 years as Village Manager.
As Director of Public Safety, Mr. Harlow was responsible for coordinating and managing police, fire and emergency medical services in a fully consolidated public safety department. Overseeing the effort of international accreditations in a public safety environment, the department initiated and achieved accredited status in law enforcement through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and initiated the process of fire service accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). Upon receiving those certifications, the organization was identified as the only combined services public safety agency in the world with dual accreditation status.
During his tenure as Director of Public Safety, Mr. Harlow led efforts to further develop community based human relations programs and led in the enhancement of numerous regional mutual aid initiatives for effectiveness and efficiencies in area law enforcement and fire service, including the formation of a Major Crimes Task Force and Mutual Aid/Automatic Response Programs. Mr. Harlow was an Assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and participated in the review of several law enforcement agencies throughout the country. As President of the Northern Illinois Police Crime Laboratory, Paul led a successful effort to achieve Crime Lab Accreditation; becoming at that time, the only such private crime laboratory in the world to be awarded that status.
As the 7th Village Manager of the first community in Illinois (and 14th in the Nation) to adopt a Council-Manager form of Government, Mr. Harlow enhanced the standard of excellence for fiscal integrity and governmental responsibility in the Village. AAA Bond Ratings, a series of voter approved infrastructure and business district improvements, GFOA awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting and Popular Annual Financial Report and fiscal stability in an era of economic downturn were achieved throughout his tenure. As Village Manager, Mr. Harlow directed the implementation of public communications policies leading to the Illinois Policy Institute acknowledgment for “receiving the highest score for transparency in the State of Illinois.” Paul oversaw and enhanced the operation of a variety of comprehensive municipal services, including the operation of a water production facility and a municipal golf course; both distinguished for their quality. Mr. Harlow initiated and implemented numerous “shared services” programs with other governmental entities that led to effective cost savings for local taxpayers.
During his tenure as Village Manager, a significant enhancement to “the arts” in the community was fostered by the Village’s retention and approved expansion of Writers’ Theatre, “a cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence.” The position of the community was also improved by the enhanced relationship between the Village and the Chicago Botanic Garden, an internationally recognized venue.
Professional Education, Training and Instruction
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, (DePaul University)
- Master’s degree in Business Administration and Administration of Justice, (Webster University)
- Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and Executive Development Institute
- Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Academy, Law Enforcement Executive Development Symposium and Law Enforcement Futuristics
Memberships and Affiliations
- Former President of Northern Illinois Police Crime Laboratory
- Founding Member Northern Illinois Public Safety Academy (NIPSTA)
- Former Vice President and Treasurer of NIPSTA.
- Former Assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
- Member – FBI National Academy Associates
Local Government Professional Background
Over 38 years of municipal experience in both public safety and municipal management
- Village Manager, Village of Glencoe, IL 2001 – 2013
- Director of Public Safety, Village of Glencoe, IL 1990 – 2001
