In late summer 2022, Skokie Police Chief Brian Baker appointed Skokie Police Commander Robert Libit to the position of Deputy Chief. Libit succeeds recently retired Deputy Chief Paul Weinman.
Libit joined the Skokie Police Department as a patrol officer in 1993 and was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2001. He began working as a Tactical Mission Team Sergeant in 2007, assisting detectives with investigating numerous high-profile cases and coordinating joint task force investigations. He received a Special Service Commendation for contributions to the design/construction of the current Skokie Police Headquarters and transfer of operations in fall 2010.
In September 2014, Libit was promoted to the rank of Commander. As Patrol Commander he oversaw day-to-day police operations and coordinated protocols for taking charge at the scene of an incident, response to incidents involving investigations, questioning of suspects/witnesses and more. As Special Operations Commander, he coordinated the Department’s Special Enforcement Team by reviewing policies and developing plans and budgets to secure equipment for investigation responses. Most recently, Libit has served as Professional Standards Commander, managing all internal disciplinary investigations and overseeing the Department’s training programs. He also founded the Skokie Police Department Benevolent Fund, a non-profit organization that assists the community as well as Skokie Police Department members and their families that are in need.
Libit earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He completed both the School of Police Staff and Command and Executive Management Programs at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, where he also received a Public Safety Executive Leadership Award. Libit has received numerous letters of commendation for his performance of duty, and two awards from the Chicago Police Department for his excellent investigations work.