Macomb Mayor Michael Inman announced today that Chief Jerel Jones is departing the Macomb Police Department to serve as Chief of Police for the Village of Flossmoor, IL, effective March 27, 2023
“Chief Jones has done an outstanding job, in a short time with the Macomb Police Department”, Mayor Inman said. “We knew when we were fortunate to have him accept the Chief’s position, that he’d be highly sought out as a Law Enforcement executive; that time has come sooner than we had hoped; we’ll miss him and wish him and his family all the best”, Inman added. Chief Jones was appointed as Transitional Chief by Mayor Inman in March 2021. Jones became the first African American Chief of Police in Macomb City history, upon being appointed to Chief of Police in May 2021.
During his tenure as Chief, Jones addressed challenges with recruitment and retention of officers, which is a commonality amongst law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Under Jones’ leadership, the Department successfully hired eleven officers through an innovative entry level and lateral hiring program. Chief Jones and his team operationalized the NAACP/ILACP Ten Shared Principles within the Department, which were originally adopted by the Department in 2018. The Police Department received Reaccreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). Furthermore, Chief Jones successfully enhanced trust and built stronger relationships between Macomb officers and community members, through increased community engagement and transparency.
“It has been a privilege and honor serving our community alongside the men and women of the Macomb Police Department”, said Chief Jones.
“I am thankful for the relationships which I have built and maintained with our Macomb officers, community members, area law enforcement partners, university staff and students, local business owners, and a host of visitors and stakeholders of our fine City”. “I am appreciative of Mayor Inman, City Administrator Coker and our fellow department heads who tirelessly serve the citizens of Macomb. We have held one another to a high standard and the work being done in Macomb represents forward progress”, Jones added.
Jones expressed appreciation to the members of the Macomb Police Department, “I thank you for entrusting me to serve as your Chief for the past two years. We have built a successful department together and I am humbled and blessed to have served with each of you. I always said that each of you make the organizational family special, and I will hold firm to these words. Thank you for your confidence, patience, professionalism, and support.”
Mayor Inman also announced that, effective Friday March 24, Macomb Police Department Operations Commander Jeff Hamer will assume the role of Interim Chief of Police and Officer Thomas Duvall will assume the role of Interim Operations Commander. These Officers will fill these positions until a new Police Chief is appointed.
A Farewell Open House for Chief Jones and his family will be held this Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Macomb City Hall- Community Room 4pm-6pm. The public is encouraged to attend.
***Courtesy of City of Macomb Mayor Mike Inman***
