Joliet Elevates Interim Chief Robert Brown to Permanent Chief of Police
The City of Joliet has appointed Robert Brown as its permanent Chief of Police after he served as Interim Chief since former Chief Bill Evans retired in May. Brown, a 26-year Joliet veteran, is a 29-year law enforcement career spanning three decades of public service.
JOLIET, Ill. — The City of Joliet on Monday announced the appointment of Robert Brown as the city's permanent Chief of Police, capping a 29-year law enforcement career in which 26 years have been spent serving the Joliet Police Department.
Brown has held the role of Interim Chief since the retirement of former Chief Bill Evans on May 28, 2026. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief and second-in-command, working closely with department leadership on day-to-day operations.
"Chief Brown knows this department, he knows our community, and he understands what it means to serve Joliet," Mayor Terry D'Arcy said in the announcement. "Over 26 years, he has earned the respect and trust that come from showing up every day, doing the work, and leading by example."
Brown joined the Joliet Police Department in 2000 and has built his career entirely within it, advancing into senior leadership. His years in management have given him firsthand experience with the department's operations, personnel, and the evolving public safety needs of a growing city.
"This department has been my professional home for 26 years, and being entrusted to lead it is an incredible honor," Brown said. "As Chief, my focus will be on supporting the men and women of this department, maintaining the high standards our community expects, and continuing to strengthen the relationships and trust we have built with the people of Joliet."
A U.S. Army veteran, Brown holds a master's degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University (2019) and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Governors State University (1998). He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the Northwestern University Executive Management Program, and the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.
As Chief, Brown will oversee the department's daily operations and set its direction for the years ahead. City officials say his appointment provides leadership continuity while positioning the department to adapt to the needs of Joliet and the community it serves.