Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria

Community leaders participating in a conversation about ways to assist victims of criminal violence highlighted the need for support services, advocacy programs, and an examination of the root causes of crime.

Retiring Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria believes the department is in a better place than when he took the job five years ago.

A leadership change is coming for the Peoria Police Department. Chief Eric Echevarria informed the city he will retire as of May 15, after serving nearly five years in the role. Assistant Chief Brad Dixon has been chosen as the next chief.

Peoria Police said an early morning traffic pursuit Tuesday involved individuals in a stolen vehicle who had been attempting to run over students in the parking lots at both Richwoods and Peoria high schools.

Under the proposal, Peoria Public Schools’ outdoor cameras would be added to the police department’s Axon Fusus camera integration platform in an effort to improve the response to any active emergencies or credible threats.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and Police Chief Eric Echevarria spoke strongly Tuesday against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity that turned deadly in Minnesota as they sought to assure residents of the city’s commitment to protect the public.

An officer-involved shooting in Peoria’s East Bluff that resulted in the death of a 41-year-old man has been deemed justified by the Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos.

The City of Peoria is enacting an updated prohibition of public nuisance gatherings, giving police the authority to disperse crowds when individuals are engaged in unlawful activities.

A weekend confrontation between Peoria Police officers trying to assist a gunshot victim and a crowd of more than 50 bystanders has led to multiple arrests, prompted a statement from the mayor, and drawn scrutiny from a civil rights organization.

After Peoria police arrested a 15-year-old boy Friday afternoon for a shooting that targeted the Manual High School building, Police Chief Eric Echevarria sought to reassure the community that the department is actively taking steps to keep schools safe.