Downers Grove names new police chief

DOWNERS GROVE – Shanon Gillette will be the new Downers Grove police chief.

Gillette’s appointment was announced Jan. 2, and it is effective Jan. 6. He replaces Kurt Bluder, who announced in December he would be leaving for the La Grange Police Department.

Bluder's last day will be Jan. 5, and he begins his tenure as La Grange police chief Jan. 8.

"I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve as chief of police for the village of Downers Grove," Gillette said in a news release. "I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff to ensure the Downers Grove Police Department remains an exceptional law enforcement organization."

Gillette has 24 years of law enforcement experience with the village and has served as deputy chief since 2015.

"Shanon's educational achievements in law enforcement and practical experience as a police officer make him perfectly suited to lead the members of our top-ranked, professional police department," Village Manager Dave Fieldman said in the release.

Throughout his career, Gillette has held a variety of positions, assuming increased responsibilities and progressive management experience with every facet of the Police Department, the release stated.

He has served as as community-oriented policing officer, field training officer, detective, patrol sergeant, administrative sergeant, lieutenant of operations, lieutenant of investigations and deputy emergency management coordinator, according to the release.

Gillette in 2016 graduated from the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va., where he received advanced leadership training for law enforcement executives. As a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, he was honored with the Center for Public Safety's Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award, the release stated. He also holds a master's degree in public safety administration from Lewis University.