Director Hiram Grau

Director Hiram Grau

Born in Puerto Rico, Hiram Grau moved with his family to Chicago when he was young and would go on later to join the Chicago Police Department in 1981. Grau spent his entire career in law enforcement – 28 of those years with the Chicago Police Department, working his way up through the ranks as Patrolman, Tactical Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Watch Commander, District Commander, Deputy Superintendent, and Acting First Deputy. He also spent 9 years on the FBI’s Street Gang Investigation Squad, and has received hundreds of special commendations, awards, and recognition. Grau retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2008.

Prior to becoming Director of the Illinois State Police, Director Grau was Deputy Chief of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office of Investigations Bureau, where he oversaw the Narcotics/Special and Municipal Investigations Divisions. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran, receiving four medals while serving with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

Grau was appointed Director of the Illinois State Police on March 25, 2011 and was unanimously confirmed by the Illinois Senate on April 13, 2011, becoming the ISP’s first Latino Director.

During his tenure, Director Grau oversaw the ISP's implementation of Illinois’ Concealed Carry Program, meeting every statutory deadline; he authorized the use of non-lethal and state-of-the-art TAZERS by Troopers; he renewed the ISP’s efforts on diversity and recruitment; and produced a professional recruitment video.

Under Director Grau’s leadership, the ISP opened the Metro East Forensic Science Laboratory in Belleville, deployed the Metro East Police Assistance Team (MEPAT), and partnered with the Chicago Police Department in a fugitive apprehension initiative. During the 2012 Chicago NATO Summit, Director Grau led the ISP’s involvement and protection of world dignitaries attending the conference. Director Grau retired from the Illinois State Police in February 2015.