Joe Leonas has been an adjunct instructor for DePaul University since 2022. He teaches CRIM 201 Law Enforcement and CRIM 207 Law Enforcement Management.
Joe graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in English and received his master's degree from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Joe also graduated from Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff & Command, as well as the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Joe Leonas is the Chief of Police for the Village of Lincolnshire, Illinois, having served in that position since 2016. Joe began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. Over the course of his 26-year career in Bartlett, he held various positions including: Detective, Crime Prevention Officer, School Resource Officer, Sergeant, Investigations Commander, and Deputy Chief of Police.
Joe also served as the Case Management Commander on the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) – a homicide task force comprised of over 22 police agencies in Cook County – and was responsible for the development of MCAT’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team.
Joe has instructed police officers since 1998 in many areas, including: homicide investigations, juvenile justice, police applicant backgrounds, leadership & management, and internal affairs. In addition to teaching at DePaul, Joe is an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety.
Joe currently serves as the President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), Vice President on the Advisory Board of Directors for North East Multi-Regional Training (NEMRT), Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT), and Past President of the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association.
Joe considers DePaul one of the best universities on the planet, and loves instructing students on policing and leadership. When he is not teaching, or policing, he loves the outdoors and camping with his family.