Eul rises through ranks to become Batavia police chief

BATAVIA – Dan Eul started as a patrol officer with the Batavia Police Department 21 years ago. After a career of steady promotion through the ranks, Eul is now Batavia’s top cop.

He was appointed Batavia police chief by Mayor Jeff Schielke and confirmed by the Batavia City Council on May 1.

The new chief officially takes over May 4, replacing Chief Gary Schira, who is retiring after leading the police department for 11 years.

Eul credited Schira, and police Chief Dennis Anderson before him, for helping him advance in his career with the department.

Schielke and City Administrator Laura Newman selected Eul after deciding to promote from within the department.

“It serves as a signal to members of the department that we are providing law enforcement services in a manner which the community finds to be appropriate and acceptable,” Eul said in a speech to aldermen. “I hope to cultivate this confidence from the community as well.”

Anderson was one of many former and current members of the department who showed up to show their support for Eul at the swearing-in ceremony.

“Dan has really shown a lot of leadership talent,” Anderson said.

Eul began as a patrol officer in 1996. He was promoted to sergeant in 2004, and then became deputy chief of administration in 2010. Two years later, Eul shifted roles to become deputy chief of operations.

Eul’s appointment as police chief is setting off a chain of promotions in the department.

“Selecting an internal candidate as Chief Schira’s replacement has not only given me the opportunity to lead the men and women of the department, for which I am extremely grateful, but it also opens opportunities for other members of our organization to seek additional responsibility and professional advancement within the department,” Eul told aldermen.

In addition to his work on the police department, Eul served 19 years as a commissioned infantry officer in the U.S. armed forces, including duty in Iraq. Eul has an undergraduate degree in criminal justice management from Aurora University, and a master’s degree in public safety administration from Lewis University.