BEST POLICE OFFICER

Mark Poani – Chatham Police Department

If you’re a law-breaking kid in Chatham, the best you can hope for is to be busted by Officer Mark Poani. Not only is he friendly and genuine, but part of his job is serving as an advocate for juveniles who are picked up by the Chatham Police. Poani, who also handles DUI enforcement for Chatham, previously served in the Air Force for four years as a nuclear munitions specialist and earned a degree from UIS. Now in his sixth year with the Chatham Police, Poani is a field training officer and firearms instructor, and he visits Chatham schools twice a year to talk with students about not drinking and driving. Poani says he tries to be helpful and generous in his work. After offering some humorous mispronunciations of Poani’s surname (It’s really pronounced “Poe-nye,” but none of the others are fit to print), his fellow Chatham Police officers said Poani is a “professional, outstanding officer.” And Poani says he truly enjoys his job. “I like the opportunity to work with people in the community, to help them resolve their issues or problems. Whether it’s a criminal investigation or just sitting down with a juvenile in crisis, I try to develop a rapport.” Runner-up: Wes Barr, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office