Flossmoor Names New Chief Of Police

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Following an extensive, nationwide search, Mayor Michelle Nelson will appoint Jerel Jones to the role of Flossmoor Chief of Police on March 27, and he will assume the role on March 29.

Jones fills the vacancy left by former chief Tod Kamleiter, who retired in December 2022 after nearly three decades with the department.

"We are thrilled to have Chief Jerel Jones join the fine men and women of Flossmoor's Police Department," said Mayor Michelle Nelson. "His experiences and outlook make him well-qualified to address our community’s public safety needs and challenges. I hope you all will take the time to get to know our new chief and welcome him to Flossmoor."

In Flossmoor, the position of Police Chief is a mayoral appointment with a confirming vote by the Village Board of Trustees. The position reports on a day-to-day basis to the Village Manager. The Flossmoor Board of Trustees is expected to unanimously approve the appointment of Jones, who joins the Flossmoor Police Department with sixteen years in law enforcement, currently serving as Chief of Police in Macomb, Illinois, since 2021.

Chief Jerel Jones was selected to lead the Flossmoor Police Department "due to his wealth of knowledge and experience in 21st Century Law Enforcement operations and leadership," the Village said in a release.

Jones has served as Chief of Police for the Macomb Police Department since May 2021, making history in the City of Macomb as the first African American Chief of Police. This appointment immediately followed Jones' appointment as Transitional Chief for the Macomb Police Department in March 2021.

"Jones has instilled a culture in the Macomb Police Department that operationalizes the NAACP/ILACP Ten Shared Principles, which is designed to build trust and stronger relationships between law enforcement and communities, values equally important to Flossmoor," the Village said.

Jones has also participated in a host of community-based initiatives, including youth outreach. Jones began his law enforcement career with the Western Illinois University (WIU) Police Department, where he served for 12 years in patrol, community policing, and the investigations division. He also held a concurrent assignment with the Macomb/McDonough County Task Force, where he served with the Macomb Police Department and McDonough County Sheriff's Office, working several drug-related investigations. Jones occasionally assisted the city and county agencies with general criminal investigations, in addition to assisting several state and federal law enforcement agencies with major cases as a detective.

Following his service with the WIU Police Department, Jones was promoted to lieutenant with the Bradley University Police Department in Peoria, Ill., where he commanded criminal investigations, day shift patrol operations, and crime prevention (Community Policing Division). He also served with the McDonough County Sheriff's Office as Operations Lieutenant, where he commanded patrol operations, investigations and training for patrol deputies and detectives.

“Throughout this rigorous recruitment process, Chief Jerel Jones stood out as a progressive law enforcement executive, capable of leading our department," said Village Manager Bridget Wachtel. "We look forward to Chief Jones joining our executive team and working collaboratively with our staff and surrounding communities to provide outstanding public safety services."

Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and a Master of Arts in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University. Jones completed professional studies at Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command and served as Class President. Jones is an Adjunct Instructor for the Western Illinois University- School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Jones has served on the Western Illinois University Anti-Racism Task Force, the Western Illinois University Strategic Planning Committee, and the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Paramedic Program Board. Jones is an advocate for the advancement of diversity in law enforcement and youth services.

Jones and his wife, Brandy, and their two children are Chicago natives and believe in positive change for our modern-day society and local communities. Jones proactively promotes fairness, impartiality, transparency, diversity, equity, and inclusivity; and fosters consistent community engagement to build police and community trust.

"I am honored to join the Village of Flossmoor team as Chief of Police," Jones said, "and I am looking forward to building stronger relationships within the police department, throughout the Village of Flossmoor, and the surrounding communities."