Peter Garza (law enforcement)

Peter Garza has served as a Criminal Investigator for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, of Illinois, since 1993.

Private Life

Garza resides in North Riverside, Illinois with his wife and three children.

Education

Garza graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Second Major in Spanish Literature.

His achievements include a successful one-year long investigation that resulted in the first criminal conviction and prison sentence of three corporate owners for environmental crimes in Illinois. Garza was also recognized for his six-month long investigation and apprehension of a child sex offender.

Garza’s accomplishments as a criminal investigator have been recognized by the Cook County State’s Attorney of Illinois and numerous assistant states’ attorneys.

Garza conducted investigations on delicate and high profile governmental and police corruption that encompassed external and internal entities. Most recently, Garza was assigned to the General Investigations Unit as the Deputy Supervisor. He also serves on the Cook County State’s Attorney and Illinois State Police Public Integrity Shooting Task Force.

Prior to Garza’s tenure with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, he served as a Supervisor with the Internal Affairs Division of the Chicago Fire Department. He supervised delicate investigations regarding criminal and administrative violations of the Chicago Fire Department. Garza previously served as a Legal Investigator for the City of Chicago’s Law Department. In this position, he investigated lawsuits directed towards the City of Chicago. Garza began his criminal justice career as a Cook County Deputy Sheriff assigned to Courthouse Security then to the Warrant Division. Garza was recognized and rapidly promoted to Academy Instructor where he facilitated law enforcement courses for police academy cadets.

Garza recently concluded serving his second term as the President of the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association (HISLEA).

Through Garza’s leadership, HISLEA established itself as a statewide organization dedicated to providing a perspective and definitive voice on issues facing Hispanic law enforcement officers. Garza recently presented a comprehensive anti-crime plan to Chicago Alderman Ricardo Munoz for review. He is scheduled to present his plan to various other aldermen and Chicago Police Commanders.

Recognition

Garza is a member of the West Suburban Detectives Association and has been the recipient of many Law Enforcement recognitions and appointments from various governmental agencies and public figures including:
* Appointed to the White House's National Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence,
* Appointment to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Transition Team as the Co-Chairman for Public Safety, Law Enforcement and Anti-Terrorism,
* Appointment to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Transition Team on Domestic Violence and
* Appointment to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown’s Human Resources Transition Team.

Garza is also active in the community and has received numerous honors and awards from various educational and law enforcement organizations:
* Leadership Award, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Washington, D.C., 2003
* Community Service Award, Combined Law Enforcement Hispanic Heritage Committee, 2002
* Appointment to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown’s Human Resources Transition Team
* Medal of Courage (Achievement Award) Glenwood Military School, Glenwood, Illinois, 2000
* Commitment Award, Mexican American Police Organization, 1999
* Certificate/Letters of Commendation, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1995
* Commitment Award, Mexican American Police Organization, 1999
* Alumni Professional Achievement Award, Chicago Farragut Career Academy, 1992

External links

* [http://www.HISLEA.org HISLEA]