New Chief of Police!

[RambleOn]

Eric Echevarria was offered and has accepted the Chief of Police position in Peoria. He comes to us from Elgin, IL. As part of my notes from listening to the Zoom interviews, I wrote in large letters, "I like him!" Very glad he accepted! http://www.peoriagov.org/city-of-peoria ... ice-chief/

[AV8R]

I wish him well, he has his work cut out for him.

[CCubs]

sounds good!

[Toldyouso]

I wish him all the best. I hope he’ll get the support he needs.

[Tazewell]

Echevarria stated, “My family and I are excited to plant new roots in such a diverse and vibrant community. Law enforcement alone cannot solve the challenges we face. I look forward to working alongside the Peoria Police Department members in collaboration with the community to strengthen our common bonds, reduce crime, and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

He sounds woke. Not good for a police chief of a city going through a crime wave. Also, why not promote from within?

[AV8R]

Sometimes an organization can benefit from some new ideas brought in from another jurisdiction. Just my experience.

[Tazewell]

Sometimes an organization can benefit from some new ideas brought in from another jurisdiction. Just my experience.

I definitely get that, but is this the best time to be learning all about the city and its issues, right in the middle of a crime wave? Could they have promoted someone from within to chief and made this guy the number 2 or 3 guy if they thought he was so great? I just hope he isn't woke like the mayor and gives her push back when she inevitably blames his guys for something going wrong, even if they are not at fault.

[AV8R]

Sometimes an organization can benefit from some new ideas brought in from another jurisdiction. Just my experience.

I definitely get that, but is this the best time to be learning all about the city and its issues, right in the middle of a crime wave? Could they have promoted someone from within to chief and made this guy the number 2 or 3 guy if they thought he was so great? I just hope he isn't woke like the mayor and gives her push back when she inevitably blames his guys for something going wrong, even if they are not at fault.

I agree with your sentiment about backing his troops. The quickest way to turn good cops into ex-cops is to fail to have their back.

[Toldyouso]

Sometimes an organization can benefit from some new ideas brought in from another jurisdiction. Just my experience.

I definitely get that, but is this the best time to be learning all about the city and its issues, right in the middle of a crime wave? Could they have promoted someone from within to chief and made this guy the number 2 or 3 guy if they thought he was so great? I just hope he isn't woke like the mayor and gives her push back when she inevitably blames his guys for something going wrong, even if they are not at fault.

I agree with your sentiment about backing his troops. The quickest way to turn good cops into ex-cops is to fail to have their back.

Someone commented that those from the PPD who were being considered for the job chose retirement instead. I have no way of verifying that, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

[AV8R]

That's a problem that is in no way limited to Peoria. I know a lot of cops who are eligible but not mandatory that are pulling the plug. Enough is enough. Large departments are losing officers through lateral transfer to smaller departments and sheriff's departments as well.