Batavia Police Chief To Retire, Focus On Family, Humanitarian Work

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia's chief of police since 2022 will retire at the start of 2025, city officials announced Tuesday.

Shawn Mazza, who began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a patrol officer in Batavia, will begin his retirement effective Jan. 14, 2025. Mazza plans to focus on humanitarian work and spend time with his wife and four children, officials said.

The chief oversees a department of 43 full-time, sworn-in officers and 12 civilian employees. During his tenure, officials said he helped spearhead community-focused initiatives including Coffee with a Cop, Cones with Cops and crime prevention presentations. He also helped expand the bicycle patrol officer program and worked to bring on a community-oriented police officer who is also the handler for a new comfort dog.

Under Mazza's direction, the Batavia Police Department adopted the Ten Shared Principals, considered by the chief to be "one of the department's top priorities." The foundational pillars, which outline how the department is expected to treat everyone, was developed as a collaboration between the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Illinois State Conference.

"The Ten Shared Principles memorialize what I believe are ten fundamental values our department is continuously striving to achieve, with a more intentional approach," Mazza said, per a City of Batavia news release.

The principals are also integrated into the department's hiring and training process.

"Ongoing training is critical. We are in an age of trust and transparency, and I believe that our officers' actions help build that trust and transparency," he said. "We hire people with high values, morals and character. We have developed a culture of taking responsibility for our actions and being thoughtful about how we treat all people. Our staff comprises good people with servant hearts who want to make the world a better place."

Mazza is most proud of building relationships, recognizing talent and ensuring staff have the tools they need to succeed, according to city officials.

"There is a team-oriented aspect to law enforcement. You must trust the people around you," Mazza said. "We've always done that in Batavia. There’s a family- and employee-centric aspect to our department that makes this a desirable place to work."

He continued: "The graciousness of the city has been important in my life and internationally. Batavia supports its citizens and recognizes how the world is interconnected. We can and do make a difference. I'm so grateful for the privilege to work in law enforcement for the City of Batavia."

Mayor Jeffery Schielke called Mazza a "hands-on chief" and praised him for ensuring the department practiced state-of-the-art patrol concepts using the latest technology.

"I am truly sorry to lose his leadership in Batavia but wish him all [the] best for a well-earned and healthy retirement," he said in a statement.