Article Summary: The New Lenox Police Department has new leadership after the Village Board formally swore in Micah Nuesse as the new Chief of Police and Brandon Tilton as Deputy Chief in a ceremony filled with family, friends, and fellow officers on Monday night.

Police Department Leadership Key Points:

• Micah Nuesse, a New Lenox resident since 1985 and a veteran of the department since 2007, was promoted to Police Chief.

• Brandon Tilton, who joined the department in 2015 and has served in numerous roles including patrol and investigations sergeant, was promoted to Deputy Chief.

• Both officers thanked the mayor, the board, their colleagues, and their families for their support in their acceptance speeches.

• The promotions follow the recent retirement of former Police Chief Louis Alessandrini, who was in attendance for the ceremony.

NEW LENOX — In a packed Village Hall boardroom, Micah Nuesse and Brandon Tilton took their oaths of office Monday as they were officially sworn in as the new Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief, respectively, for the Village of New Lenox.

The ceremony marked a new era of leadership for the department following the recent retirement of Chief Louis Alessandrini, who was present to support his successors.

Mayor Tim Baldermann administered the oath to Nuesse, a longtime resident who has been part of the community since 1985. After graduating from Lincoln-Way Central High School and serving seven years in the U.S. Air Force, Nuesse joined the New Lenox Police Department in 2007. He has since served as a field training officer, detective, SWAT team member, detective sergeant, and most recently, as deputy chief since 2020.

“I’ve just been a part of this community for a long time,” Nuesse said in his remarks. “It gives me a lot of joy to be able to work here and be a part of a community that is so great as New Lenox. The citizens are great, the village is great, and I look forward to starting this next chapter.”

Nuesse, a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, thanked the mayor, village board, and his fellow officers for their trust and support. He gave special thanks to his family. “I really appreciate it. I appreciate your love and support and know that I wouldn’t be here today without you,” he said.

Following Nuesse’s swearing-in, Baldermann administered the oath to Brandon Tilton for the position of Deputy Chief. Tilton, a U.S. Army Reserves veteran, began his law enforcement career in 2012 and joined the New Lenox department in 2015. He has held numerous roles, including detective, SWAT team member, field training officer, and investigation sergeant.

Tilton, who moved to New Lenox with his wife and three daughters six years ago, also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and this village has provided me nothing but opportunity,” Tilton said. “I’m really grateful for this opportunity to give back to my community. To all my men and women, all the guys I work with on the street…I really appreciate all the support.”

Mayor Baldermann praised both men for their character and integrity and thanked their families for the sacrifices they make to support them in their demanding careers.

“It’s often that men and women who serve in law enforcement are called away at inopportune times and for long periods of times and deal with an awful lot of stress,” Baldermann said. “They could not do the job that they do if it wasn’t for having the love and support of family. So thank you to all of you for providing that for them.”