New Police Chief To Be Sworn In Upcoming Board Workshop

PLAINFIELD, IL — Following his appointment at the end of September, Police Chief Robert Miller will be sworn in at 9 a.m. Monday at the Plainfield Police Department.

A ceremony was originally planned during Monday evening's Committee of the Whole workshop but following its cancellation, Mayor John Argoudelis said the event was postponed to Oct. 17.

Miller, a resident of Plainfield and a 30-year career veteran, was selected for the role following former Chief John Konopek's retirement in July after 28 years with Plainfield Police Department.

"I am extremely motivated and excited to join the leadership team at the Village of Plainfield," Miller said in a statement. "I look forward to leading and working with the men and women of the Plainfield Police Department to continue providing quality police service to the citizens of our community."

Before coming to the Plainfield department, Miller served as deputy chief in Wheaton, where he began his career as a patrol officer. Throughout the years, he worked his way up the ranks to hold positions including sergeant, lieutenant of operations, lieutenant of investigations and deputy chief of operations.

The police chief holds a degree in criminal justice management from Judson University. He also attended Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command.

"The Village is fortunate to have found such a worthy successor to Chief Konopek in Chief Miller," Argoudelis said in a statement. "He is a longtime resident, knows the community well, and has the experience and demeanor to lead our Police Department well into the future."

The Village Board voted 4-2, with one trustee abstaining, to approve Robert Miller as the new police chief during a heated meeting Sept. 19. During the meeting, some trustees expressed concerns with the selection process, which consisted of a six-person committee that reviewed applications and interviewed candidates.

Miller was chosen from a pool of more than 32 resumes that were narrowed down throughout the process.

"Through that process, Robert Miller ranked head and shoulders above; he ranked the highest," Argoudelis said during the meeting. "A consensus of six individuals from different positions ... said 'Bob Miller's a great guy. He'll make a great chief.'"

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Editor's note: This article was updated to reflect Miller will be sworn in at the police station Monday morning instead of during a workshop that evening following a schedule change.