Police Chief Jerel Jones is leaving Macomb after two years on the job to become police chief for the Village of Flossmoor. He begins the new job on Monday, March 27.
He was Macomb’s first Black police chief.
Operations Commander Jeff Hamer will serve as Macomb’s interim police chief, and Officer Thomas Duvall will serve as Interim Operations Commander. Those appointments take effect Friday, March 24.
Mayor Mike Inman appointed Jones as Transitional Police Chief beginning in March 2021.
Jones was then sworn in as Macomb’s police chief in May, 2021 during a ceremony on the front lawn of City Hall as family, friends, and other supporters looked on.
Jones previously served as a lieutenant at the McDonough County Sheriff’s Department. He also worked for the campus police departments at Western Illinois University and Bradley University, compiling 15 years of law enforcement experience before becoming Macomb’s chief.
Jones is the third generation of his family to serve in law enforcement.
In a news release, the city said that during his time as chief, Jones addressed challenges with the recruitment and retention of officers, and the department received reaccreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
A farewell open house for Jones and his family will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 24 at City Hall.
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