“The City of Joliet has officially announced the upcoming retirement of Chief of Police William Evans, who will conclude a 24-year career in law enforcement on May 28, 2026. Effective upon his departure, Deputy Chief Robert Brown—a 26-year veteran of the department—has stepped in as Interim Police Chief to ensure a smooth transition while the city initiates a comprehensive national search for a permanent successor. Mayor Terry D’Arcy expressed gratitude for Evans’ steady leadership and commitment to building community trust during his tenure.
“It’s been an honor to serve the City of Joliet and lead the men and women of the Joliet Police Department,” said Chief Evans. “I’m proud of the work the department has done, and the commitment shown every day by our officers. I appreciate the trust placed in me during my time here, and I leave confident in the direction the department is headed and the dedicated professionals from the Joliet Police Department who will carry it forward.”
Interim Police Chief. Deputy Chief Brown currently serves as Joliet Police Department’s second-in-command and has been a member of the department since 2000. Brown earned a master’s degree in public safety administration from Lewis University in 2019, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Governors State University in 1998. He is 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 Interim Chief, Brown will oversee daily operations and ensure continuity of service while the City conducts a comprehensive search for the next Chief of Police.
The City of Joliet will initiate a formal recruitment process in the coming weeks to identify the next Chief of Police. As part of this process, all Joliet Police Department staff will be provided with a survey to gather perspectives on leadership needs, morale, operational strengths, and areas for improvement. An open recruitment will then take place, followed by candidate selection and interviews, with an announcement of the selected candidate expected in summer 2026.
For more information on the Joliet Police Department and City of Joliet, visit www.joliet.gov.
