Rock Island chooses new police chief

Jonathan Turner
·2 min read

Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson has chosen Interim Chief of Police Tim
McCloud to lead the Rock Island Police Department as chief, pending approval by city
council on Monday, May 20. Once approved, Chief McCloud will be sworn in during the
meeting.

Interim Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud
Interim Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud

McCloud began his law enforcement career with the Rock Island Police Department
in April of 1994. He rose through the ranks of the police department, serving as detective
from 2002 to 2006, sergeant from 2006 to 2009, and lieutenant from 2009 until 2021 when
he was appointed as deputy chief of police. He was appointed interim chief of police April
26, after the retirement of former Chief Richard Landi.

“Tim McCloud will serve as a strong and reliable chief of police for the City of Rock
Island,” Thompson said in a Thursday city release. “He brings three decades of experience, integrity, vision and collaboration to the job. His approach to community policing and leadership will serve the department and community well.”

Over his 30-year tenure with the Rock Island Police Department, McCloud has served in a variety of roles, including:

  • Narcotics and vice officer

  • Feld training officer

  • Range officer

  • Emergency response team member

  • Methamphetamine response team member

  • Detective

  • Rock Island High School liaison

  • Commander of the Juvenile Investigations Unit

  • Commander of the Honor Guard

  • Agent in the Office of Professional Standards

  • Accreditation manager

  • Commander of the Technical Services Division

  • Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division

  • Watch commander for the Patrol Division

Chief McCloud obtained a master’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration
from Western Illinois University in 2010. He is a 2013 graduate of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation National Academy, and obtained certification through the Illinois
Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020.

“I consider it to be the highest honor and privilege of my career to be serving as your chief
of police,” McCloud said. “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with the
members of this great community to help make Rock Island the safest it’s ever been.”

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