Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—The Park Forest Police Department honored two officers with special awards at Monday night’s board meeting held at Village Hall.
Police Chief Brian Rzyski presented the annual awards for outstanding civilian employees and officers of the year.
The Civilian Employee of the Year Award recognizes non-sworn members of the Park Forest Police Department whose roles are essential to the department’s daily operations.
Records Clerk Brittani Barnett, Civilian Employee of the Year
This year’s recipient is Records Clerk Brittani Barnett, who began her career with the Village in 2004 at 16. She initially worked for P.A.C.C. in the police department. She held several positions there, including assistant team leader, team leader, and assistant team leader supervisor. In March 2011, Barnett was hired as a part-time records clerk and was promoted to full-time in July 2013.
“Brittani plays a vital role in managing FOIA requests, a demanding responsibility due to the high volume of police activity,” Rzyski stated. “As the records clerk on the afternoon shift, she efficiently processes paperwork and ensures the timely release of necessary records for prisoner transport from the PFPD lockup. Brittani’s extensive clerical knowledge makes her an invaluable resource, as she frequently assists watch commanders with a variety of administrative tasks. Amid staffing changes within the Records Division, she has stepped up to fill critical gaps, ensuring the seamless operation of the police department.”
Detective Luis Ibarra Is Officer of the Year
Chief Rzyski also presented the Officer of the Year Award for 2024 to Detective Luis Ibarra.
This award is voted on by all department members and is given to the officer who best exemplifies the performance principles and mission of the law and the Park Forest Police.
Detective Ibarra has been with the department for five years and has dedicated the last couple of years to the Investigations Division. He has managed 68 cases, which include homicides, home invasions, aggravated batteries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, achieving one of the division’s highest clearance rates.
Rzyski highlighted one of Ibarra’s significant investigations. He identified and arrested a suspect in a shooting that occurred during a cannabis transaction. Rzyski noted this was accomplished through meticulous record analysis and securing search warrants.
“Ibarra’s work speaks for itself,” Rzyski remarked. “He led a double homicide investigation where two young children witnessed the murder of their mother and grandmother. His extensive forensic work ensured the suspect’s arrest and prosecution. Beyond his investigative efforts, Detective Ibarra is a vital South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force member. In that capacity he assists in the arrests of murder suspects.”
Gift for a Child Who Suffered Loss
Rzyski also noted that Ibarra’s dedication goes beyond law enforcement. He is an active supporter of Special Olympics charity events. In a remarkably compassionate act, he organized donations to purchase a PlayStation 5 and gifts for a nine-year-old boy. The child lost his mother and grandmother in one of the cases Ibarra worked. This ensured the child had a birthday celebration at the police department.
“Detective Ibarra’s relentless pursuit of justice, commitment to his community, and ability to balance duty with compassion make him an invaluable member of the Park Forest Police Department and a deserving recipient of the 2024 Officer of the Year Award,” Rzyski said.
This is news directly from the Village of Park Forest.
