Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer is retiring after more than 24 years with the department.
Police in Illinois can begin drawing their pension after 20 years of service and if they’re at least age 50. Those both apply for Hamer, so he said it’s time to step aside.
“I feel like I’ve done as much as I can with the police department, and I think it’s time to turn that over to the new leaders coming forward,” he said.
Hamer is a graduate of Western Illinois University. He became interim police chief in March 2023. Just two hours into time in that position, the department was called to a house party shooting that left one person and ten others wounded.
Hamer, who was appointed permanent chief a few months later, said the department also handled several other critical incidents during his tenure, He praised the command staff and officers he worked with.
“They’re all empathetic, caring, driven, we have a few that are relentless and are self-starters, which is great. The sky’s the limit here for the officers here,” Hamer said.
Hamer said he’s interviewing for two positions in the private sector. One is in insurance, the other in software, and he said both “work adjacent with accreditation,” which is something he’s been involved with since 2012.
“So I’ll feel like I’m still helping the law enforcement industry in Illinois,” he said.
Hamer said both jobs would allow him to remain in Macomb and work remotely.
He will retire from the MPD on Dec. 12.
Mayor Mike Inman said Hamer led the department in an exemplary manner and will be missed.
“Chief Hamer has done a great job for us,” Inman told TSPR. “We hoped that we could convince him to stay with us a little while longer, but that’s not the case.”
Inman said the search for Hamer’s successor will begin in January. In the meantime, Lt. Todd Tedrow will serve as interim chief. The transition is already underway.
Tedrow said he’s excited to lead the department and feels this is a natural progression in his career.
“I feel extremely confident in the foundation that we have in this department from the patrol officers up to the detectives to our supervisors to the administration. So confident that I’m comfortable taking the interim spot,” he said.
Tedrow graduated from MacMurray College in Jacksonville. He worked for two years as a correctional officer with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office while he was in college. The Macomb Police Department hired him in 2009.
He said his time as interim chief will give him a good idea of whether he wants to apply to be chief.
“I want to showcase this department as a great department, which it is, and hopefully attract some great applicants for the permanent position,” he said.
Chief Hamer said Tedrow is poised and will bring a law enforcement skill set and other strengths to the table.
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