Acting Mayor Michael Kwasman is making no secret of the man he wants for chief of police.

If Kwasman is elected West Chicago’s mayor this month, he plans to appoint Acting Chief Don Goncher to the post left vacant when Chief Stephen Kuhn quit several weeks ago.

Goncher, 57, has been put in charge until Kuhn’s term ends Monday, April 30.

Kwasman said Goncher, a veteran with the force, is the best candidate.

“I have not been interviewing candidates. I believe in promoting from within,” Kwasman said. “We have more than competent people here and I think you get better service from employees by doing it.”

After spending two months on an unexplained leave of absence, Kuhn is retiring to pursue other interests, possibly teaching. He will remain with the department until the end of April, using a combination of accrued and unpaid leave. Kwasman said the severance provisions of Kuhn’s contract were not invoked by the city.

Kuhn was hired in June 2005, following a national search, Kwasman said. Kuhn could not be reached for comment for this story.

Goncher said his promotion is not a certainty, but he is pleased to be considered.

“If I get the appointment in May, I’ll be pretty excited about it,” he said. “I’m really proud of the people who work here. I really like working with them.”

Goncher has been a police officer for 30 years. Having worked at just about every level, he has experienced some of the toughest parts of being on the job. In April 1992, a fellow officer was killed when responding to a burglary. The burglar ran down the officer while trying to escape, Goncher said.

About two years ago, Goncher led an investigation into a car crash that killed a woman and her child and another driver.

“That was a very tragic case,” he said. “During interviews, just to come up with how it occurred, it was like the death of the officer. It had a profound effect on me.”

Goncher counts himself lucky to have had chances to prove himself.

“I’ve just been one of the grunts. I’ve ground along and done my job. I can’t say I’ve ever had the key to break a big case. I’ve always been impressed by those (who can). I’m just a guy who’s come through the ranks and been fortunate there were new opportunities to step up,” he said.

If appointed chief, he would continue to fight a longtime problem in West Chicago.

“The blight that is across neighborhoods is gangs. They have infiltrated even the smallest communities. We’ve dealt with gang issues for well over 15 years, but we’re doing a very good job of it,” he said.

The department uses an 11-point plan that includes keeping tabs on top gang members, quick cleanup of graffiti and working in schools to identify students at risk.

“It’s a community effort between all the various entities and it’s our responsibility to keep everyone aware of the situation and where we are,” he said.