Sergeant Jason Kalinowski has known he wanted to be a police officer since he was four years old when his family was helped through a traumatic experience by a caring officer. He knew he wanted to be the person who could show up and be the calming presence and protector for those in need. Sergeant Kalinowski excels in many areas, but his passion lies in community involvement and volunteerism due to his outgoing personality and honest desire to serve others. 

Sergeant Kalinowski uses his talents in this area in many ways, such as fundraising for the Fraternal Order of Police Social Lodge #266 to raise almost $140,000, volunteering with the Gurnee Turkey Trot (a local charity fundraising race), and organizing and leading his department’s Shop with a Cop event. Since the inception of the event six years ago, it has grown from providing gifts for 22 local children in need to more than 70 children last year.  

Recently, when the public and profession’s focus turned to law enforcement reform and accountability, Sergeant Kalinowski shifted his own focus to morale, retention, and relationships in the community. He worked with members of his department and community by spreading the positive message that the department will continue to do what officers were sworn to do and vowed to mend any relationships that may have been threatened in the community. Sergeant Kalinowski volunteered to speak at a Black Lives Matter rally on behalf of the police department and spoke alongside students, teachers, activists, and the rally organizer, sharing a message that his department will continue to hold officers to the highest standard and work with the community to build lasting relationships. 

“I am motivated by being the best servant I can be and strive to be a leader my officers want to follow. I am motivated each day by making positive impacts on those around me.”