Peter Garza (Law Enforcement)
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Peter Garza has served as a Criminal Investigator for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, of Illinois, since 1993. Achievements include Peter’s successful one-year long investigation that resulted in the first criminal conviction and prison sentence of three corporate owners for environmental crimes in Illinois. Peter was also recognized for his six-month long investigation and apprehension of a child sex offender.
Peter’s accomplishments as a Criminal Investigator have been recognized by the Cook County State’s Attorney of Illinois and numerous assistant states’ attorneys.
Peter has conducted investigations on delicate and high profile governmental and police corruption that encompassed external and internal entities. Most recently, Peter 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 Peter’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. Peter 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. Peter began his criminal justice career as a Cook County Deputy Sheriff assigned to Courthouse Security then to the Warrant Division. Peter was recognized and rapidly promoted to Academy Instructor where he facilitated law enforcement courses for police academy cadets.
Peter recently concluded serving his second term as the President of the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association (HISLEA) [1].
Through Peter’s leadership, HISLEA established itself as a statewide organization dedicated to providing a perspective and definitive voice on issues facing Hispanic law enforcement officers. Peter 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.
Peter 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
• Appointment to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown’s Human Resources Transition Team
Peter 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
Peter graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Second Major in Spanish Literature.
Peter resides in North Riverside, Illinois with his wife and three children. He enjoys sport fishing and reading architecture topics in his spare time.
