John Lawson

John R. Lawson
Chief of Police
Harper College Police Department

Harper College Chief of Police John Lawson has spent more than four decades in law enforcement, and today he leads the very campus where his career took shape.

He started as a Community Service Officer in 1980, working his way through the ranks while attending classes at Harper as a criminal justice student.

"Education is not simply about earning a degree — it is about developing the knowledge, confidence, and critical-thinking skills that you can carry throughout your career," Lawson said. "My classes gave me a strong foundation in criminal justice and helped me better understand the responsibilities that come with serving the community."

Lawson credits his time at Harper with instilling the discipline that carried him through the rest of his career. He earned his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in 1987 while balancing full-time police work with coursework.

"Harper taught me the value of continuing education," he said. "Balancing work, family and school required discipline, commitment, and time management — qualities that have served me throughout my career."

That balancing act didn't end at Harper. Lawson went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree from Lewis University, along with additional training through the School of Police Staff and Command and professional development programs at Northwestern University. His career took him through the Roselle Police Department, where he served as a Criminal Investigator, administrative sergeant, accreditation manager, public information officer, and patrol watch sergeant before retiring in 2015. He then served as a sergeant with the College of Lake County Police Department, working as a lead homicide investigator with the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force. Along the way, he was named the 1997 State of Illinois Police Officer of the Year and the 1991 Roselle Police Department Police Officer of the Year.

For Lawson, returning to Harper as chief of police has brought his journey full circle.

"I remember what it was like to walk through the college as a student, attend classes while working and try to balance the demands of school, work and family," he said. "I often think about the fact that I was once sitting in a Harper classroom preparing for my future, and today I have the privilege of helping provide a safe and supportive environment for the students who are doing the same thing. That connection makes my role at Harper particularly meaningful to me."

Lawson's advice for current Harper students echoes the lessons that shaped his own path.

"Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, grow, and challenge yourself," he said. "If you are interested in law enforcement, understand that it is much more than enforcing laws. It is about serving people, building relationships, communicating effectively, exercising good judgment, and treating everyone with dignity and respect."

"My time at Harper helped lay the foundation for my career," he added, "and I encourage today's students to make the most of their time here. Believe in yourself, work hard, serve others, and never stop moving forward."