The acting chief of the Galesburg Police Department will now fill the position on a permanent basis.
The city announced Wednesday that Kevin Legate was selected for the role after serving as deputy chief since 2023 and as acting chief since March, when former chief Russ Idle was let go over sexual harassment allegations.
“Chief Legate has done an exceptional job leading the Galesburg Police Department through a challenging transition, solidifying his place as a leader of outstanding character and judgment," said City Manager Eric Hanson in a release.
Legate, a graduate of the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration program at Western Illinois University, began his career in Rock Island. He joined the Galesburg Police Department in 2001 as a patrol officer. He then worked as an agent with the Peoria Multi-County Narcotic Unit before returning to the Galesburg Police Department in 2009 as an investigator and rising through the ranks.
Legate has also completed senior-level training, including the Police Supervisory Role in the 21st Century from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, and the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety.
He said he’s honored to have been selected for the role.
“It’s a privilege to lead an outstanding staff, and I am profoundly grateful for their hard work and commitment,” he said in a release. “I look forward to guiding the department to its full potential, ensuring Galesburg is a community where all citizens feel safe and confidently rely on the Police Department to serve with integrity, transparency, and dedication.”
Legate's current salary is $140,801. That will increase to $146,067.03 on June 9.
