'Trailblazing' Aurora Police Commander Retires After 30-Year Career

AURORA, IL — A history-making commander with the Aurora Police Department retired Dec. 15, 30 years after being appointed as a police officer.

Commander Liz Robinson-Chan officially hung up her police cap after giving her final roll call at 6:30 a.m. Friday in front of a room packed with early risers. Chief Keith Cross led the celebration for his colleague and friend, who welcomed him into the department 29 years ago, just a year after she herself joined the staff.

Cross joined other staff members to share sentiments about Robinson-Chan. At the end of the event, the chief presented her with a shadow box of all the badges she donned during her career.

"After 30 years of law enforcement service and service to her community, Liz has remained one of the most caring and loving and dedicated people that I've ever met in my entire life," Cross said. "That takes a lot, to remain who you are throughout a 30-year law enforcement career."

Touted by city leaders as a "trailblazer," Robinson-Chan began working as a police officer in 1993. She rose through the ranks, making history when in 2012 she became the first Black female in the department to be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Robinson-Chan worked in all four of the department's bureaus during her three-decade career. She first served as a patrol officer and a community-oriented police officer. As a sergeant, she served as a patrol supervisor, evidence unit supervisor and patrol support sergeant. In her time as a lieutenant, she served as the area two second shift lieutenant and the administrative services lieutenant. During her tenure as a commander, she oversaw the Support Services Bureau and the Administrative Services Bureau.

"I told my fellow officers and fire department, if I ever see you guys out there on the street, you know, needing help, I'm going to probably be on somebody's back, even in retirement," Robinson-Chan said at the celebratory event.