Patrick Solar

Patrick Solar is currently an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin -Platteville. His area of specialization is policing. Dr. Solar, originally from Antioch Illinois, has been a police officer for nearly 30 years serving as a street officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Chief of Police. Police management and supervision are particular areas of expertise as he has served in this capacity for most of his career.

Dr. Solar’s formal education includes an Associate Degree specializing in Law Enforcement from Kishwaukee Community College, 1985. A Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, 1989. A Master's degree in Public Administration, specializing in Municipal Finance & Planning in 1992, and a Doctorate in Political Philosophy, specializing in Organizational Development from the Northern Illinois University Graduate School. Solar is also a 1997 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

He is a life time member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, a Certified Police Chief and serves on the Accreditation Council, the governing board for the Law Enforcement Accreditation program (ILEAP). The council sets the standards for professional law enforcement in Illinois. He is a long time member of Rotary International, past-President of the DeKalb County Law Enforcement Executives Association and a former Chairman of the Northern Illinois Police Training and Advisory Board.