Police Chief Joyce

Chief of Police William Joyce has led the South Chicago Heights Police Department since 2007. He modernized the department by overseeing the design and construction of a new police facility, moving from handwritten reports to a computer-assisted dispatch system, and investing in new vehicles for officers. Chief Joyce served on the executive board for the creation of the Laraway Communications Center, which combined the resources of 32 regional law enforcement and fire agencies to increase the safety and efficiency of emergency response for all residents in the region. As a leader in the community of the South Chicago Heights, Chief Joyce strives to create a safe community built on the foundation of respect, mutual trust, dignity, and community participation.

Chief Joyce holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency management systems and a master’s degree in criminal justice. He earned a Law Enforcement Executive Management Certificate from Northwestern University and has met or exceeded the annual in-service training mandates of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standard Board for sheriffs and chiefs. He has also served as an adjunct professor at South Suburban College, teaching a course titled A Sociological Approach to Juvenile Delinquency.

As a member of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), Chief Joyce was invited to the White House in 2016 to collaborate with 74 other Police Chiefs from across the nation to discuss the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.  He has served on numerous boards and committees, including: South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police (active executive board member and past president), Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (legislative committee), Illinois State Crime Commission (advisory board and past president), Police Athletic League (past director), Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County (board member), and Will County 911 Laraway Communications Center (executive board treasurer). He has also served as a volunteer at Alicia’s House Food Pantry and the Make-A-Wish Foundation Christmas programs.

In 2007, the Illinois State Crime Commission named Chief Joyce the Illinois Law Enforcement Chief Executive of the Year, and he was recognized for outstanding excellence by the Village of South Chicago Heights in 2021.

Chief Joyce is the son of a Chicago Police Lieutenant and the grandson of a Chicago Fire Captain. He began his own law enforcement career with the Chicago Police Department in 1973 and served in the Patrol Division, Tactical Unit, Criminal Intelligence Division, and Cook County Juvenile Court State's Attorney investigations. He joined the South Chicago Heights Police Department in 1994 as a part-time patrol officer before working his way up to his present position. 

He lives in Chicago with his wife Diane and enjoys spending time with his three children, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.