PEORIA, Ill. – There’s a new employee of the Peoria Police Department, who likely won’t be wearing a uniform but will have an impact on operations.
A statement says Mary Peterson has been hired as the department’s Community Relations Crime Prevention Manager.
Officials say Peterson — formerly with Illinois Central College — will help “manage the organizational structure of the department’s crime prevention initiatives.”
She’ll also, among other things, help collect and distribute data on violence prevention.
Chief Eric Echevarria says Peterson’s knowledge and relationships in the community will help the department.
“I am excited to have Mary Peterson on the team as the Community Relations Crime Prevention Manager,” said Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria, in a news release. “This position will be critical in managing the organizational structure of the Police Department’s crime reduction initiatives moving forward. Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and relationships within the community that will help the agency with the recruitment of crime reduction partners while working with diverse stakeholders to include community-based organizations, schools, businesses, faith-based groups, residents and neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement partners and social service providers.”
Peterson is a graduate of Illinois State University and a Peoria native.
A salary for Peterson was not revealed.
