Once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier.  Jill Lees was once an IU student and IU Police Department cadet some 25 years ago. Fast forward to today, and she is our soon-to-be IUPD Chief of Police.

Jill Lees is the current Deputy Chief of Support for the Plainfield Police Department, but in just a couple weeks, she will be right here in Bloomington—heading IUPD.

Lees main goal is to build upon the strong foundation that she believes IUPD already possess.

“Let’s not change for the sake of change,” Lees says. “But let’s look at what makes sense.  The focus is making the future better, and making IUPD the best police department that I can make it.”

However, Lees does have a few priorities in mind, and officer safety is at the top of her list.  She says police officers constantly face dangers behind the scenes, and her job is to ensure each one makes it home at the end.

“I really want to show officers that I care about them. I want to work alongside them, and work as a team instead of just directing them on what to do,” Lees explains.

However, Lees was also an IU student herself. Apart from leading her team, Lees wants to keep students in mind.  She plans to maintain an inviting environment for all students across campus.

Lees is a certified RAD—rape, aggression, and defense—instructor, so keeping campus safe is one thing for which she is especially passionate.

“Students are here for such a short amount of time, and during that time I want [students] to know that the police department supports them,” Lees says. “I want them to know who their officers are and who their police chief is.”

Lees journey at IU started when she was just a 19-year-old student and police cadet. She graduated from IU and 1994, and credits IUPD for instilling in her an “excellent work ethic” that she believes has given her a fulfilling career.

“I strongly encourage those that want to become police officers to go through the [IUPD] cadet program. It’s like no other,” Lees shares.

In her 23 years serving in Plainfield, Lees told herself the only way she would ever leave is for a job here at IU. She officially becomes IUPD Chief of Police on March 4.