Wheeler takes over as Bloomington Police Chief

Posted on May 15, 2018
Chief Wheeler
Clay Wheeler is sworn in as Bloomington’s police chief. (Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s new police chief is Clay Wheeler, who was sworn-in to the cheers of fellow officers at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Wheeler made a brief statement, repeating what he said when Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen promoted him from assistant chief last week.

“We have a great department. They work hard for this community,” said Wheeler.

“I’m proud to represent this community,” he added.

“Really, all I got to do is make sure they’re allowed to do the good work that they do,” Chief Wheeler also said.

He is a Bloomington High School graduate, and has been with the police department since 1991.

Wheeler will make a salary of $155,940, compared to predecessor Brendan Heffner’s salary of $147,455.

Heffner left the chief’s job last week to become U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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