The LandMark Group was created by Steve Peterson in 2011, following his retirement from the Chicago Police Department after 39 years of dedicated service. Steve’s career in law enforcement began after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. The majority of his tenure with the Chicago Police Department involved assignments concentrated in the Detective Division. In his role as detective and later sergeant, Steve worked in the Violent Crimes Task Force partnering with the FBI. This task force was a combined effort of local law enforcement agencies, utilizing resources and specialized skills to track and bring the most violent offenders in the Chicagoland area to justice. 

Having made a name for himself meritoriously as a hard working investigator and supervisor, Steve rose quickly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. In 2000, he became the Commander of both of Chicago’s airports. He assembled a reliable team and established new protocols, increasing security and safeguarding one of our country’s busiest airports, O’Hare. Consequent to 9/11, he directed the Chicago Police Airport Unit in establishing drastic modifications to operations by pinpointing existing weaknesses and enacting preemptive measures to circumvent future incidences. 

After his time at the airports, Steve returned to the Chicago Police Department’s Detective Division as the Commander of Area 4. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing Detectives who investigated violent/property crimes and the special victims unit on Chicago’s West Side. Through his lead, Area 4 was widely known as the “Premier Detective Area” amongst the existing 5 in Chicago. At the height of his career, Steve was appointed Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department’s Investigative Services. This assignment put him third in charge of the Department and accountable for thousands of officers, detectives, and supervisors. The Bureau of Investigative Services encompassed all of Chicago Detectives, Organized Crime, Evidence Technicians and Forensic Services. Steve enhanced the investigative process, brought accountability and implemented technological advances into the crime fighting operation. On a few occasions, then Deputy Superintendent Peterson lobbied and presented to the Illinois Supreme Court for legislative changes to be stricter on crime. 

His credentials are incontestable. But beyond Steve’s accomplishments are his character and his conduct. Steve possessed integrity and a moral foundation which was the basis for his unwavering commitment to the law. He exercised ethical leadership and held everyone accountable for the same, high standards. He inspired trust and successfully motivated his people. Through diligence, copious work, and a sense of duty to his community, Steve led a rewarding career through the Chicago Police Department.

Upon his retirement in 2011, Steve brought his investigative and managerial skills into the private sector, forming The LandMark Group LLC. He was accompanied in this endeavor by his son, Matt Peterson. Matt held the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The LandMark Group. Matt followed in his father’s footsteps, beginning his career with the Chicago Police Department in 2004, patrolling in the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods of Chicago. Matt later joined the Area 4 Midnight Gang Unit. This team was comprised of highly motivated, proactive police officers who concentrated their efforts in combating gangs, guns and drugs in a large area of the West Side of Chicago. Once assigned to Chicago’s Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Michigan Avenue area, Matt applied the skills and knowledge he acquired working the more challenging neighborhoods in the West Side. He built strong relationships with the community, developed innovative crime solutions, and he often responded to problems relating to quality of life.

Subsequent to over 10 years in patrol assignments, Matt was selected for a position within the Bureau of Organized Crime, Intelligence Section. The mission of the Intelligence Section is national security. To accomplish this, Matt assisted the unit in counter-terrorism operations and strategies. In addition, the Intelligence Section opens investigations concerning various crime syndicates and partnered with Federal Agencies to assist in joint missions. Matt concentrated his efforts in combatting identity theft, bank fraud, and property crimes. To further build on his abilities, he sought out training and successfully completed the FBI’s week long under cover school and FBI’s source development school. 

Matt was the case officer on a number of news worthy investigations and successful protections. One of these cases involved a crew of Russian Nationals who travelled to the U.S. committing retail theft, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars. Matt also handled a group that perpetrated an array of crimes which include: identity theft, wire fraud, burglary, and mail theft. Matt was the lead investigator of this multi-jurisdictional effort whose victims included the Chicago Cubs, dozens of college sports teams, concert ticket providers, and hundreds of individuals across the country. These criminals were technologically savvy and went through great efforts to conceal their identity. This required Matt and his team to employ unconventional investigative methods and countless hours of surveillance. 

From the inception of the LandMark Group, Michael Guidry of The Guidry Group became a trusted partner. Michael has advised The LandMark Group through his expertise in operations, business matters and expansion. The Guidry Group is the international leader in kidnap and ransom resolution, security services, and crisis response/management with experience in 148 countries. Guidry is committed to the future success and growth of LMG and will remain a valued advisor.