Collinsville Assistant Police Chief Todd Link was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Glen Carbon Board of Trustees to be the new chief of police for the village.

The news came on Link’s 48th birthday and the 17th anniversary of the day he learned he was hired by the Collinsville Police Department. Link said he is looking forward to putting the experience and training he gained on the CPD to use as the chief of police in Glen Carbon.

“I’m really honored that the people of Glen Carbon and Mayor Jackstadt are putting their faith in me,” Link said. “I want to be there for many years to come.”

Collinsville Police Chief Steve Evans said Link’s appointment, and the recruitment of former Assistant Police Chief Tom Coppotelli to be the director of public safety and security at Lindenwood University – Belleville, is an honor for the CPD.

“It says a lot for this agency when you have other agencies reaching to our agency for leadership,” Evans said.

Glen Carbon Mayor Rob Jackstadt said Link’s diverse and extensive law enforcement experience, as well as his education, distinguished him among many qualified candidates.

Link, a 1984 Collinsville High School graduate, grew up in State Park and served as a Navy medic in the Persian Gulf War. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English and political science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Lindenwood. While attending the St. Louis University School of Law and working as a police officer, Link found his career.

“I really enjoyed being a cop, but didn’t enjoy being a law student, so I focused on being a police officer,” Link said.

Fairmont City Police Chief Scott Penny hired Link as an officer in 1994. He worked in Fairmount City until he was hired by Collinsville in 1997.

Link was promoted to Collinsville’s Assistant Police Chief over patrol on Aug. 2. Prior to his most recent promotion, Link was the Lieutenant over detectives. He also served as a patrol officer, detective, undercover narcotics investigator and patrol sergeant.

Link, who recently moved to Glen Carbon with his wife and four children, will begin his new job on Oct. 1. His salary will be $87,300.

“Glen Carbon is a progressive, thriving community with a very good police department that was left in good shape by Chief Lakin,” Link said. “I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

John Lakin is running unopposed for Madison County Sheriff.

This is the second time since June 2013 that Link was recruited to be the chief at a neighboring agency. Last year, Caseyville Mayor Leonard Black announced his intention to hire Link before a deal had been reached between Link and the Village. After careful consideration of the Caseyville offer, Link declined the job because it was not a good fit for him and his family, he said.

Sept. 26 will be Link’s final day in the Collinsville Police Department. He is excited about his new opportunity, but leaving will not be easy.

“The people I work with there are like a family to me,” Link said. “I’m really going to miss them.”