New Joliet Police Chief Appointed

JOLIET, IL - The city of Joliet is making Al Roechner as the new permanent chief of police. Roechner has been serving as interim chief since August. He was put into the job following the announcement of Brian Benton to step down as chief. Benton no longer works for the city.

Over the past year or so, there was lots of turmoil and morale problems within the Joliet Police Department under Benton's leadership, but the police department seems to have turned the corner since Benton and other members of his upper administration, including Deputy Chief Edgar Gregory, decided to retire in recent months.

Roechner has 27 years of experience with the Joliet Police Department, and he was most recently serving as deputy chief of criminal investigations.

Over the past week, Roechner has become a social media sensation on the Joliet Police Department Facebook page. He has taken on the persona of "Chief Al" as in Chief Al the Elf on the Shelf. Roechner has been dressing up at work in elf attire and wandering around the downtown Joliet Police Station where he has been photographed in strange locations.

It remains to be seen whether Roechner is willing to work for the city of Joliet in his new permanent role while making an elf's salary.

The Joliet City Council, and Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, will have final say on the matter of compensation.

RELATED: Chief Al Elf On Shelf Invades Joliet Police Station

Images via city of Joliet and Joliet Police Department