Bio Hilard_Terry
Terry G. Hillard is acclaimed as one of the most highly respected law enforcement executives in the nation today.
Hillard began his remarkably distinguished law enforcement career in 1968 when he became a member of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Early in his career, he was wounded in the line of duty while apprehending a dangerous offender who had shot four suburban police officers. As he was promoted to increasingly higher positions of authority, including holding the distinction of being Chicago’s first African-American Chief of Detectives, Hillard skillfully served in several of the city’s police districts and units. During his law enforcement career, he was presented numerous commendations, such as the Award of Valor, the Police Blue Star Award and, most impressively, the prestigious Police Medal, the Chicago Police Department’s highest honor; as well as major awards from the FBI and the City of Chicago.
The pinnacle of Hillard’s career occurred in 1998 when he was appointed Superintendent of the Chicago Police, the second largest police department in the nation with more than 13,500 sworn officers and 2,700 civilian personnel. It wasn’t long before he established a national reputation for outstanding police leadership. Widely recognized for his personal commitment to the patrol officers on the street and his introduction of creative crime prevention programs, Hillard also earned praise for his development of a strong, close relationship between police officers and the community. Among his many accomplishments were the establishment of a new Domestic Violence Program; an enhanced Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program; and being the driving force behind the highly effective Enhanced Drug and Gang Enforcement Program.
After establishing a strong legacy of dedicated service and leadership, Hillard retired as CPD Superintendent in 2003. (In 2011, when asked to serve as interim Superintendent until a new one could be appointed, he agreed to return, reflecting not only his loyalty but the high esteem in which he is held by both the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago.)
In 2004, he joined forces with former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Arnette Heintze to co-found Hillard-Heintze, an international strategic security firm for major corporations, government agencies, and prominent individuals. After co-leading this hugely successful firm for a decade, he left to create his own firm, TGH Consultants, Inc., serving as a security advisor, consultant, and instructor for major corporations and law enforcement agencies. He retired in 2020, but remains active in the law enforcement community as an advisor-consultant.
A United States Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran, Hillard is the recipient of four combat medals and a Presidential Unit Citation. A popular keynote speaker, he is also co-author of the highly acclaimed Chicago Police: An Inside View, a book that stresses the importance of integrity and ethics and is used widely for law enforcement training programs.
Hillard and his wife Dorothy recently celebrated their 52th wedding anniversary. They are proud of their son Dana and daughter Terri-Lee, who are officers with the Chicago Police Department, and are particularly happy when they are able to spend time with their two adorable granddaughters, Danaé and Madisyn.
