David is a 32 year resident of Portage, growing up in South Haven. He has been a longtime member of the Portage community and seeing what this community could provide, decided to stay in Portage and start a family.
For the past 22 years, David Czilli has been serving his community as a Police Officer, a dream he wanted to achieve since he was young. As a member of the Portage Police Department, David was a founding member of the department’s SWAT Team which he currently serves as team leader of. David is also a member of the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team. He served as the Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #145 and as a Field Training Officer for new recruitments to the police department.
David is a 1987 graduate of Portage High School. He graduated from Vincennes with a degree in criminal justice. After working for the National Lakeshore, David was hired by the Portage Police Department. He is currently entering his 22nd year of service to the city. He is married to his wife of 18 years, Renae, who also works for the Police Department. His son, Collin is a student at Portage High School and will graduate in June of 2013.
David is committed to his community. He has been an active member of Portage Little League and Portage Youth Basketball. He is also an avid outdoorsmen and fisherman and can usually be found on Lake Michigan when he is not working on the road or spending time with his family.
“My family is the most important thing in my life,” Czilli said. “I love my community and feel that Portage is the best place to raise a family. The people here are fantastic.”
Growing up in South Haven, Czilli has always been active in the community through Little League baseball and his days in high school. He was an active member of the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. As a Portage Police officer, he participated in the Shop With a Cop program.
Czilli’s son, Collin, has also been very active in the community. In his time at the high school, Collin co-founded the school’s radio station, Pow Wow Radio and the school’s television station, INN-TV where he serves as Station Director. Collin also serves on the United Way of Porter County Board of Directors representing Portage Township Schools.
“I care very much about Portage and I want to see this community thrive,” Czilli said. “That is done through our schools. They are the most important things in our community.”
David’s feet have been planted in Portage for over 32 years and he is proud of what this community has come to accomplish over the years.