Clay Wheeler: We hope to always strive to do better

Posted on May 11, 2018
Clay Wheeler speaks at Brendan Heffner’s farewell reception. (Crystal Donaldson)

 

By Crystal Donaldson

BLOOMINGTON – Clay Wheeler, Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen’s choice to replace Brendan Heffner as Bloomington’s police chief, said the department will continue striving to make improvements.

“I’ve been part of the team that has lead this department,” said Wheeler. “So I think we can carry on and keep doing the same thing that we have been. I say that [meaning] with some improvement. We hope to always strive to do better. That’s what we did under him and that’s what we’ll do under me.”

Heffner will be sworn in as U.S. Marshal for Central Illinois on Monday, and a farewell reception was held in his honor Friday afternoon.

Wheeler came to the Bloomington Police Department in 1991 after three years in Lafayette, Indiana. He said he’s lived in Bloomington on and off since he was six years old.

“A lot of my life has been here so I’m proud to represent the community that I grew up in. For the department, I’m proud to lead the group of people that work here. It’s a good department.”

Wheeler said he looks forward to the department having stability again and getting back to work as normal.

Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected]

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