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Sycamore Police Chief Plans To Retire

city of Sycamore

Sycamore's police chief announced his intention to retire next year. The city council will considerDonald Thomas' request to retire in January after 13 years. 

If approved, a search for his replacement is expected this summer. 

From tonight's agenda:

"B. Ordinance No. 2014.10—An Ordinance Approving an Employment Agreement

Between the City of Sycamore and Donald Thomas. First and Second Reading.

Police Chief Don Thomas has announced his intention to retire from the Sycamore Police Department on January 2, 2015. For the past 13 years Chief Thomas has led the Sycamore Police Department with professionalism, consistency and integrity. Chief Thomas has proven to be an asset to the City, the Department and an integral part of the department head team that assists the City Manager in carrying out the Council’s policies.

The attached employment agreement is effective July 22, 2014 and extends through January 2, 2015. The salary and insurance benefits associated with the position are reflected in City’s annual salary ordinance that was approved in April. 

Chief Thomas has led the Department’s efforts to obtain accreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Over the next five months his primary goal will be to see through the final steps of that process. 

A search to identify Chief Thomas’ replacement will begin this summer with an expected start date in January 2015. 

City Council approval is recommended."

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.