New Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers to be sworn in Monday

The Batavia Police Department will have a new leader beginning next week as current Police Chief Shawn Mazza will retire and his replacement will be sworn in.

Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke appointed Deputy Chief of Operations Eric Blowers as the next Chief of Police and will administer the oath of office during the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6.

The City of Batavia issued a news release on Jan. 3 recognizing both Blowers and Mazza for their service to the community.

Blowers’ appointment will take effect on Jan. 14 following the retirement of Chief of Police Shawn Mazza.

Mazza, who has served as Police Chief since September of 2022, will be honored for his 26 years of service to the community at Monday’s council meeting.

Blowers has spent his entire 17-year law enforcement career with the Batavia Police Department, serving in various roles including detective, patrol sergeant, watch commander, detective watch commander and currently as Deputy Chief of Operations.

“I am proud to have worked with Eric in a number of roles during my time as City Administrator and have the utmost belief that he will continue the excellent work of the Batavia Police Department for years to come,” City Administrator Laura Newman said in the release. “Eric has worked his way through the ranks of the department and has an incredible and unwavering commitment to public safety. As a Batavian myself, I could not be more optimistic about Eric’s leadership and the future of the department.”

“A true leader inspires others to follow not through authority, but by example,” Mazza said in the release. “I am confident that our department is in great hands with Eric’s dedication, integrity, and vision. As I step aside, I trust he will continue to build on our foundation and lead with courage and heart. The future is bright under Eric’s watch.”

Blowers earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University. He and his wife, Diane, live in Geneva with their two children, Benjamin and Jenna.

“I am privileged to work alongside the many dedicated men and women of the Batavia Police Department who serve our citizens with pride and integrity,” Blowers said in the release. “Their commitment to public safety and passion for helping others make the Batavia Police Department the outstanding organization it is.”

The Batavia Police Department has 43 full-time sworn officers and 12 civilian employees whom Blowers will oversee. His goals include enhancing the department’s training programs and pursuing police accreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP).

“I also want to continue the comprehensive facility assessment to ensure the Batavia Police Department is housed in a modern police facility and equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve and enhance our level of service to the community,” Blowers said in the release. “Chief Mazza has made an immeasurable impact on the Batavia Police Department and played an integral role in strengthening the relationship between the department and the community. His unwavering leadership and commitment to the community will surely be missed.”

Detective Sergeant Gary La Barbera will be promoted to Blowers' current role as the Deputy Chief of Operations.

La Barbera has been with the Batavia Police Department since 2005 and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.

“Sergeant La Barbera’s commitment to the Batavia Police Department and his high standards of service and dedication to the citizens of Batavia make him the perfect fit for the position of deputy chief,” Blowers said in the release.