Chambana Sun

At its Feb. 21 meeting, Champaign City Council recognized the promotion of several of the city's police officers and firefighters. 

Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen administered the oath of office to the two police officers being promoted to the rank of sergeant. 

Police Chief Timothy Tyler introduced Sgt. Caleb Rice who was hired by the Champaign police department in September of 2015. He has worked with the department for eight years, is a member of the SWAT team and he has been a field training officer since 2021. 

Sgt. Brian Greear joined the Champaign police department in 2002. He is a member of the crime scene department and has been a field training officer for over 15 years. 

Both were appointed to the rank of sergeant in early February for their experience and exemplary work over the years.

Champaign Fire Chief Gary Ludwig introduced firefighters who were being promoted. 

Council was told Mike Bayless has been a firefighter paramedic with the Champaign fire department for over 20 years. He is in charge of the department's radios, tablets and other tech equipment, as well as the ITEX trailer which operates as a remote radio site to aid in communication in rural events. Bayless was promoted to the rank of captain and sworn in at the meeting.

Richard Brockmeyer has been with the department for six years, and is a part of the fire department honor guard. He also works in peer support for mental health and wellness for fellow firefighters. He was promoted to the rank of Engineer.

Elliot Harris has also been in the department for six years. He has a  bachelor's degree in finance. He is the chair of the safety task force and recently did research  on the effects of cancer in firefighters. He was also promoted to the rank of Engineer. 

Another new Engineer was Sam Freeland, who has worked for the department for over four years and worked in the Danville Fire Department before Champaign. He is also in the honor guard and works in recruitment for the department.

 Joshua Peoples was promoted to the rank of Engineer.

“He is a member of our grant team,” Ludwig said. “And our grant team since 2003 has secured about $6.1 million in funding towards fire department projects. And his contributions recently included securing a grant for portable radios for $258,000, and then also another prevention and safety grant, which provided the fire department with smoke detectors for community blitzes and also some home safety survey programs.”

In other business, council discussed various appointments.

Although the council canceled its Tuesday meeting, it’ll meet again at 7 p.m. on March 7 at the Council Chambers at 102 North Neil St.