Press Release Archives

The Macomb Police Department will host an open house for the public on September 22^nd at Police headquarters, 120 South McArthur St.

The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon and is organized to thank the Macomb community for their support of the Department’s K-9 program. K-9 officers Renfroe and Kennedy, along with their dogs, Voodoo and Casino, will be conducting demonstrations during the open house.

Tours of Police Headquarters will be conducted during the open house. The Macomb Police Department recently put up a pictorial history of the department and welcomes the public and former employees to tour Police Headquarters to view the pictorial history. Officers from the Macomb Police Department will be on hand to meet with the public while they tour the department and answer questions anyone may have regarding police work. The Chief of Police and the Mayor will be available during the tours as well.

The Macomb/McDonough County Communications Center (911) will have an interactive display set up with a 911 Call Simulator provided by Cathy Early of State Farm Insurance. There will be personnel available to answer questions.

This is a fantastic way for everyone in the community to meet Macomb Police Officers and to learn how MPD does its job.

Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Chris Mason at 833-4505.

08/22/07 - Macomb Police Announce Success of Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Program!

Historically, the Macomb Police Department’s Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Program is essentially a mirror image of the State Program. Our program is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

The program is designed to make the community aware of potentially dangerous people in our community. The Registration program begins when a person is found guilty of certain crimes such as sexual assault or crimes involving sexual abuse of children. These “offenders” are then tracked via law enforcement agency’s computer databases and personnel. Offenders are required to complete “registration” paperwork which consists of personal history information, work information, and a photo of the offender. This information is collected, recorded, disseminated to police officers, and forwarded to the State of Illinois. Offenders are required to notify law enforcement agencies of any changes of address or employment.

The names and residences of these offenders are then made available to certain places like schools and day care facilities.

The Macomb Police Department takes the Registration and Community Notification Program very seriously. Last year, police personnel attended training in order to re-vamp and update our program. Part of the training included use of new registration forms to streamline the process. In re-vamping the program, The Macomb Police Department chose to adopt an “active” notification program. The law requires a police department to maintain at least a “passive” program. The differences in the two types of plans are small, but the results are very different.

In a passive plan, the information is kept and made available to interested parties. In an active plan, the information is collected, brought to agencies (like schools and day care centers), and frequent Physical Address Verification (PAV) checks are performed. A PAV check is a way to insure that the offender is actually residing at the address given to law enforcement.

The Macomb Police has also utilized their web page to make Community Notification easier. By visiting this link http://www.macombpolice.com/local_sex_offenders.htm you can see the address, name, picture, and crime of sex offenders within the City of Macomb.

These tools are used to track offenders and insure they are “compliant” with the law and terms of their registration. When an offender commits a crime, fails to register, moves without notifying law enforcement, or breaches any part of the registration act, they are now committing a new offense under the registration act. They are then found to be “non-compliant” and new charges are pressed.

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

The Macomb Police Department, in partnership with the Macomb Jr./Sr. High School, will be implementing the Safety Awareness Violation Enforcement, or SAVE, program.

The program was created in response to citizen complaints of speeding, stop sign violations, and reckless driving. The general purpose of this program is to ensure compliance to traffic laws by student drivers, parents, and general motorists, thereby reducing traffic accidents and injuries. The Macomb Police Department and Macomb Jr. / Sr. High School officials are greatly concerned for the students and citizens of the community. The SAVE program allows the police and school officials to work together towards a common goal.

The program will place officers in pre-selected locations, at different times to monitor traffic violations and strictly enforce those violations, to help reduce the likelihood of accidents, particularly accidents resulting in injury or loss of life. Any Macomb High School student, who receives a citation for a traffic violation between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday during the academic school year, will have their parking privileges revoked by school officials.

If students violate the parking restriction the vehicle is subject to another ticket and towed from the property.

Over the past two weeks Officers of the Macomb Police Department conducted Compliance Checks of Registered Sex Offenders. The Compliance Checks were a success. Records checks of the offenders were conducted to insure that they were complying with the terms of the Registration Act. Each offender’s address was visited in person by an officer. The officers identified the offender and verified that the address was their home address.

All offenders were found to be living at their registered addresses, except one. That individual had fallen and injured his knee causing him to be relocated to a medical / rehabilitation facility. That offender has since updated his record to include the therapeutic facility. One other offender was found with a Failure to Appear Warrant from McDonough County.

Although there were no known Non-complaint offenders, these checks are done at least once a year, as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act. Typically, Officers have contact with several of the offenders throughout the year for a variety of other reasons. These Compliance Checks are not intended to harass the registered offender, but merely to insure that the offenders are living at the registered address.

The Macomb Police is charged with the responsibility of maintaining registration records for more than 20 offenders that live in our community, in addition to several offenders that work, visit, or attend a learning institution in the City of Macomb.

Lists of home and work residences of Sex Offenders are available to Day Care Facilities, Schools, and other law enforcement agencies.

Beginning the last week of February the Macomb Police will be conducting compliance checks of local sex offenders. The compliance checks consist of Police Officers physically checking the home and / or addresses of Local Sex Offenders to insure that they are living at those addresses. The officers may even talk to people in the neighborhood about the Offenders whereabouts. If an officer is unable to make contact with an Offender, an orange hang tag will be left on the property. If you have a hangtag on your door and are NOT a sex offender, please call Sgt. Jeff Hamer of the Macomb Police at 309-833-4505.

These checks are done in compliance with the Sex Offender Registration Act. They are done to insure the Offender is complying with the terms of the Registration Act. For more information about Sex Offenders in your area visit www.macombpolice.com/local_sex_offenders.htm or the Illinois State Police page at http://www.isp.state.il.us/sor/

The Macomb Police Department’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #189 (FOP #189) is proud to announce public endorsements for Macomb City Alderman candidates.

The FOP publicly endorses Mr. Lou Gilbert, running for 3^rd Ward Alderman, Mr. Mike Inman, running for 4^th Ward Alderman, and Mr. Chris Senn, running for Alderman-at-large.

The members of FOP #189 feel being involved in government is a fundamental American right. No other level of our government affects our daily lives like municipal level government. Since we work in, and for, Macomb, we have taken an interest in the Alderman races.

The FOP conducted an Alderman “Meet and Greet” session. The FOP invited Alderman Candidates to speak about their campaigns, issues, and values. This was very similar to the Sheriff’s Meet and Greet we did recently. After each Candidate spoke, the membership asked questions that were important to us as police officers, city workers, and citizens.

All the candidates attended the Meet and Greet. All the candidates were anxious to hear our concerns as well as informing the FOP about their goals and values.

The FOP membership felt that a few candidates stood out as having the integrity, pride in service, knowledge, and common sense needed to successfully serve the citizens of Macomb. Those candidates that stood out are Chris Senn, Lou Gilbert and Mike Inman.

Mr. Senn projected himself as a competent man of character. Mr. Inman has an impressive service record within the community. Mr. Gilbert presented himself as a decent hardworking person with a firm grasp of right and wrong.

All the other candidates displayed desirable attributes and any of them would make excellent public servants. The FOP selected the above candidates because their views most closely reflect qualities that mirror our own, personal and organizational. The FOP feels these candidates are going to be the most effective leaders.

We hope the voters of Macomb keep this in mind on Election Day as they make decisions for their family’s future. Good luck to all the candidates.

The FOP wishes to publicly acknowledge Chief Galloway for his continued leadership as head of the Macomb Police Department. Galloway handles complicated internal issues, as well as typical budgetary and staffing concerns, without losing sight of right and wrong.

Galloway has lead the department through complex personnel issues, discipline, and retention problems. In every instance, Galloway has considered the citizens of Macomb and department personnel, first. Galloway’s moral compass allows him, only, to do what is right by the people of Macomb, even in the face of adversity.

It is with outstanding gratitude, that the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #189 presents Galloway with this Recognition of Achievement Award.

Below is the letter presented to Galloway. Galloway was also presented with a custom-made plaque and wall clock.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #189 membership believes Chief Galloway possess the integrity, honesty, and pride in service to act as the head of the Macomb Police Department. Chief Galloway’s personal and business values genuinely reflect a hard working, ethical professional.

Chief Galloway has, since the beginning of his career at the head of the Police Department (and even as Deputy Chief), addressed some of the most difficult and draining issues facing any administrator. Chief Galloway tackled critical internal issues such as; discipline of tenured workers, termination of employees, internal investigations, and chronic staff turnover.

Chief Galloway continues to focus on staffing matters, budget concerns, complaints on officers, and service to his department’s people and mission. Chief Galloway has weighed what is right by his people, his mission, and the citizens of Macomb with every decision he has made.

Chief Galloway is described as a first-rate manager. The FOP believes that he is more than that. The members of the FOP view Chief Galloway as a Leader. A leader is more important than a manager. A leader is one who guides others by showing them the way. Chief Galloway leads the department with experience, his ethical foundation, and mutual respect for others.

It has been said that Police have a thankless job. If that is true, then there is no one who deserves more gratitude than Chief Galloway.

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

The Macomb Police Department, in partnership with the Macomb High School, will be implementing the Safety Awareness Violation Enforcement, or SAVE, program.

The program was created in response to citizen complaints of speeding, stop sign violations, and reckless driving. The general purpose of this program is to ensure compliance to traffic laws by student drivers, parents, and general motorists, thereby reducing traffic accidents and injuries. The Macomb Police Department and Macomb Jr / Sr High School officials are greatly concerned for the students and citizens of the community. The SAVE program allows the police and school officials to work together towards a common goal.

If students violate the parking restriction the vehicle is subject to another ticket and towed from the property.

As the Macomb Police Department’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Lodge #189, President, I wish to make the public aware of some recent misleading advertising. The advertising has been in the form of local newspaper advertisements and banners at the corner of Wigwam Hollow Rd. and W. Jackson St. The ads promote a “FOP” Festival for Kids. I was disturbed by the use of the initials FOP.

The Fraternal Order of Police, or FOP as it is commonly referred, is the fraternal organization aligned with police labor unions, divided into Lodges located across the state. The Macomb Police Department’s FOP Lodge #189 takes pride in being a part of the community. FOP Lodge #189 has been involved with several long-term philanthropic activities such as Shop with a Cop and Camp Chic-a-gama. The FOP Lodge #189 has also sponsored several golf teams at charity golf events. Lately, FOP Lodge #189 has been involved with some very visible fundraising: the Dunk-a-Cop tank at Heritage Days, the Golf Tournament K-9 Fundraiser at Gold Hills Golf Course, and the upcoming K-9 Fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner at Magnolia’s.

The FOP Lodge #189 is not, nor is Western Illinois University’s Office of Public Safety Lodge #169, involved with the “Festival for Kids.” Of course, the FOP Lodge #189 does not “own” the letters F, O, and P, but I am fearful that members of the community would be mislead into believing their participation in the “Festival” would somehow benefit the FOP Lodge #189 or the K-9 Fundraising efforts. I contacted the festival’s coordinator and explained my concerns. She told me that she would either, remove the FOP letters from advertising and the banners, or she would find a sponsoring lodge to add to the marketing material. At the time of this letter, the advertising material has not been changed, nor has a sponsoring lodge been added to the ads.

The FOP Lodge #189 wishes to thank the entire community for their support in our K-9 Fundraising. We could not have asked for a better partner in our fight against drugs and crime. It is only with your support that we are so close to reaching our goal of two fully trained Police K-9s. The FOP Lodge #189 is not sponsoring the Festival for Kids. The FOP Lodge #189 wishes the Festival well. However, we also wish to clarify their flawed marketing.

Respectfully,

Sgt. Jeff Hamer

President, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #189

The Macomb Police Department appreciates the community's support in providing tips and information. Your tips and leads have resulted in several drug and warrant arrests. We hope you will remain diligent in your reporting efforts. Although we try to be in all your neighborhoods at all times, the reality is that you see, hear, and know more about your neighborhood than we do. We need your help with identifying drug houses and locating wanted people.

Please continue the support you have given. We want you to know that it is working and it is appreciated!!

Come on out to Heritage Days and Dunk-a-Cop. Members of the Macomb Police Department will be sitting in a Dunk Tank at the corner of Lafayette St. and Carroll St. to raise money for the K-9 Fundraiser. Throw a few pitches and see if you can Dunk-a-Cop! Members of the Police Department are donating our time to sit in a dunk tank to get WET!

Bring some money, change, whatever you got, it all goes towards the purchase of two Police K-9s. Help make your community safer and Dunk-a-Cop a the same time.

Follow the link to find out why the Macomb Police Department is raising money to purchase two Police K-9s. Find out what you can do to help. Check the list of businesses and private donors that are helping us reach our goal.

We've had the page for awhile, but it now has better visibility, and includes pictures and address. The Macomb Police are dedicated to providing information to the public so they may make informed decisions about the people in the community. The Macomb Police will be taking a MORE AGGRESSIVE stance on Sex Offender Registration and Compliance in the near future. Stay Tuned!

MACOMB - Four Macomb police officers formally received promotions within the department on Friday morning.

Sgt. David Burnham was promoted to the position of lieutenant while Officers Jeffrey Hamer, Eric Lenardt and Kenneth Neavear were promoted to sergeant.

David Burnham has been with the department for nine years. He is a Western Illinois University graduate and has served the department as a field training officer, range officer, juvenile officer and armorer. He has received three awards for outstanding enforcement of driving under the influence from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists and received letters of commendation and appreciation during his career.

Jeffrey Hamer graduated from WIU in 1998 and began law enforcement work as a jail officer with the McDonough County Sheriff's Department. He has spent the last five years with Macomb police and has received three recognition awards from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in law enforcement and justice administration and has served as the department's Webmaster and president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 189.

Detective Eric Lenardt was hired by the department in 1995 after graduating from WIU. He has served the department as a TIPS trainer, worked bicycle patrols and worked with an alcohol enforcement program. He has worked as a detective within the department since October 2001 and his investigations have led to the arrests of numerous burglars, thieves and drug dealers as well as the recovery of three abducted children.

Kenneth Neavear also is a WIU graduate who served with the McDonough County Reserve Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections prior to working Macomb Police. He has served the department as a K-9 handler, a field training officer and spent six years in charge of the Scott Jennings Memorial Children's Fishing Contest.

"It is an honor to promote from within the department" Police Chief Michael Galloway said.

09/20/07 -- MPD open house.

09/11/07 -- Large Amount of Heroin Seized in Drug Bust, four arrested. Check out the article here.

09/07/07 -- Macomb Police Department now has 2 K-9 Teams. Read the article here and visit the K-9 area of our web site to learn more about the dogs.

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

Send mail to postmaster@macombpolice.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 04/10/08 12:16:16

09/20/07 -- MPD open house.

09/11/07 -- Large Amount of Heroin Seized in Drug Bust, four arrested. Check out the article here.

09/07/07 -- Macomb Police Department now has 2 K-9 Teams. Read the article here and visit the K-9 area of our web site to learn more about the dogs.

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

08/20/07 -- SAVE Program to begin

Send mail to postmaster@macombpolice.com with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 04/10/08 12:16:16

Send mail to postmaster@macombpolice.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 04/10/08 12:16:16