Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson announced Thursday, May 16, that he has selected Interim Police Chief Tim McCloud to lead the Rock Island Police Department as chief, pending approval by city council on Monday, May 20.
If the council approves the appointment, Mr. McCloud will be sworn in during the meeting.
Mr. McCloud began his law enforcement career with the Rock Island Police Department in April of 1994. He rose through the ranks of the police department, serving as detective from 2002 to 2006, sergeant from 2006 to 2009, and lieutenant from 2009 until 2021 when he was appointed the deputy chief of police. He was appointed interim police chief on April 26 after the retirement of Chief Richard Landi.
“Tim McCloud will serve as a strong and reliable chief of police for the City of Rock Island,” Mr. Thompson said in a news release. “He brings three decades of experience, integrity, vision and collaboration to the job. His approach to community policing and leadership will serve the department and community well.”
Over his 30-year tenure with the Rock Island Police Department, Mr. McCloud has served in a variety of roles, including: narcotics and vice officer; field training officer; range officer; emergency response team member; methamphetamine response team member; detective; Rock Island High School liaison; commander of the Juvenile Investigations Unit; commander of the Honor Guard; agent in the Office of Professional Standards; accreditation manager; commander of the Technical Services Division; commander of the Criminal Investigations Division; and watch commander for the Patrol Division.
He obtained a master’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University in 2010. He is a 2013 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, class 254, and obtained certification through the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020.
“I consider it to be the highest honor and privilege of my career to be serving as your chief of police,” Mr. McCloud said in the release. “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with the members of this great community to help make Rock Island the safest it’s ever been.”
