Bloomington’s Gleason to search nationwide for next police chief

Posted on April 8, 2019
Wheeler
Bloomington Police Chief Clay Wheeler addressed the city council Monday night after announcing he’s retiring after 28 years on the force. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington will conduct a national search for its next police chief.

City Manager Tim Gleason acknowledges people currently on the force are interested in replacing Clay Wheeler, but Gleason told aldermen Monday night he believes the position will attract many good candidates.

“What I envision is a nationwide recruitment for the next police chief. I know that there’s some internal interest, but we will post this as a nationwide search,” the city manager said.

Gleason, himself a police officer for 21 years in Pekin, said he will run the search without the help of a paid consultant.

“We’ll pay the couple hundred bucks to hang our advertisements with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, GovHR is a recruiting firm, just some of those that really truly attract the kind of attention that I believe this position warrants, and will attract,” Gleason said.

Wheeler announced Friday he’s retiring to devote more time to family as his wife recovers from cancer. Wheeler has been with the department for 28 years, the last year serving as chief. His last day is June 21.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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