Niles North Taps Top Skokie Cop For Security Director

After Niles North's disgraced former security director resigned, Niles Township High School District 219 has hired a new director of security for the school.

Earlier: Niles North Security Director Jim DiJohn Charged With Taking, Selling Electronics

District 219 made the following announcement. 

Al Lopez, Deputy Chief of Field Operations for the Skokie Police Department, has been named the new Director of Security at Niles North High School. He will begin his new post on December 11. The D219 Board of Education approved the appointment at its November 18 meeting.

Lopez has served the Skokie Police Department since 1981, when he started as a uniformed patrol officer. As a detective, Lopez became certified as a Juvenile Officer and specialized in the investigation of youth-related crimes. He served as Patrol and Investigative Sergeant and Patrol Watch Commander before being named Deputy Chief of Field Operations in 2011.

“Throughout my lengthy tenure with the police department, I have been fortunate to work closely with staff and administrators from both D219 high schools and have supervised the School Resource Officers assigned to each,” Lopez said. “These collective experiences have allowed me to become familiar with many of the safety and security issues faced by the district, and to be impressed by the professional and proactive manner in which these concerns are addressed.”

“As our new Director of Security, Al Lopez will be a valuable addition to Niles North,” said Principal Ryan McTague. “He has established a distinguished career of police professionalism. He also understands that providing a school environment that values the social and emotional well-being of our students is key to ensuring that our schools are safe and secure for teaching and learning.”

Lopez earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University of Chicago. He has been received numerous professional awards, including the Skokie Police Department Chief’s Award of Merit, which he received on two occasions.

Lopez lives in the area with his wife and child. His last day with the police department is expected to be Dec. 2.