The Peoria City Council has unanimously approved the addition of six civilian community service officers to the police department to bolster downtown security. This initiative aims to address public safety gaps during peak hours, allowing sworn police officers to dedicate their time to higher-priority law enforcement calls while civilians manage routine community tasks.
Key takeaways
- The program will cost approximately $500,000 annually to staff six new civilian roles.
- Unarmed officers will handle traffic control, parking deck monitoring, and event crowd management.
- Staffing will cover two shifts: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- The Greater Peoria Leadership Council is contributing $72,000 for training and equipment.
Enhancing downtown public safety
Police Chief Brad Dixon emphasized that the civilian officers are not intended to replace sworn police personnel. Instead, by offloading duties such as parking enforcement and general public assistance, the department can better utilize its limited resources. City Manager Patrick Urich noted that the concept mirrors successful strategies employed by other municipalities to extend a visible presence on city streets.
Operational details and geographic scope
The civilian officers will operate primarily within the downtown corridor, spanning from the riverfront between the Murray Baker and Bob Michel bridges, extending to Perry Avenue and William Kumpf Boulevard. Chief Dixon explained that the daytime and early evening hours were selected to support the influx of workers and visitors, while keeping patrol officers available to manage more complex incidents in the downtown bar district during late-night hours.
Community and leadership backing
The initiative received strong support from Mayor Rita Ali and various council members, who viewed the move as a proactive step toward making the downtown area more walkable and welcoming. Business leaders through the Greater Peoria Leadership Council provided positive feedback, further validating the necessity of an increased, non-sworn presence to tackle public safety perceptions. Council members also acknowledged that these roles could potentially serve as a pipeline for future candidates interested in joining the police force.
Looking toward the future
While the current plan authorizes six positions, city leadership has expressed a desire to scale the program further if successful. Mayor Ali noted that the city’s growing downtown housing projects make the safety of the district essential for ongoing development. By shifting non-emergency tasks to civilian staff, Peoria aims to create a more efficient and responsive police department while simultaneously addressing the specific needs of the downtown business and residential communities.
