Peoria Police Chief Jerry Mitchell is abruptly stepping down. Mitchell says he is retiring after more than 27 years on the Peoria Police Department.
Mitchell has been Chief of Police since June 2014.
The move reportedly follows an investigation by an outside group into allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate civilian female employee.
There were previous reports of a consensual relationship with a civilian employee. Mitchell had said the female in question was someone very qualified to do the job for which she was hired. But he says he cannot comment on the current allegations.
Mitchell says retirement is a decision he’s been considering since last fall, and there is no doubt the fatal police shooting last September took a big toll on everybody. Now that the department has experienced a second fatal shooting, Mitchell says it’s time for him to go.
Mitchell is of pensionable age. He says he’s had a great career serving his community.
Assistant Chief Loren Marion III has been named acting chief.