Photo Courtesy of Ryan Martin.

The Bloomington Police Department has recently filled multiple positions within the department. 

Back in September The Bloomington Police Department hired Brendan Heffner as its’ new police chief, after a long search following the retirement of the previous chief in January. 

Heffner worked with the Illinois State Police from 1989 up until 2010, and at State Farm as a safety and security specialist since 2012. 

An Illinois State University graduate, Heffner has lived in the Bloomington-Normal area since 1978. He was a Normal Police Department patrolman and detective in the 1980’s as well. 

“He knows our community, but he’s also worked for the Illinois State Police and he’s worked for the Normal Police Department.” Tari Renner, Mayor of Bloomington, said of the hire “So, bringing in new ideas will hopefully invigorate our department and our city.”

It was Heffner who on November 12th announced that Kenneth Bays, a 15-year veteran of the Bloomington Police Department, would be promoted to Assistant Chief. 

“I am honored to appoint such a dedicated and professional officer to the Assistant Chief position.” Heffner said of the promotion. 

Bays had been filling the position of Acting Assistant Chief since August of this year. 

A native of the McLean County area, Bays graduated from Tri-Valley High School and went on to get a Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy from Illinois State University.

From 1993-2001 Bays was a member of the Army National Guard, where in 1997 he served on Active Duty in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. 

Bays joined the Bloomington Police Department in 1998, serving as a Patrol Officer before joining the Vice Unit as a Detective in 2004. 

In 2006 he was promoted to the position of Sergeant with assignments in the Patrol Division, Street Crimes, and Vice Units, before being promoted once again in 2012 to Lieutenant of the Street Crimes Division. 

Since joining the Bloomington Police Department Bays has received multiple awards for his service to the department and community. He has received two Exemplary Performance awards, a Bravery Commendation, and a Letter of Commendation. 

Also announced by Police Chief Heffner, was the promotion of Kiel Nowers.

Nowers, an 11-year veteran of the Bloomington Police Department, who most recently served as patrol officer, was promoted to the position of Sergeant on November 13th. 

A native of the McLean County area as well, Nowers is a graduate of Normal Community High School and holds an Associate in Arts degree from Heartland Community College. Nowers attended Illinois State University before being hired by the Bloomington Police Department in 2002. 

During Nowers time in the Bloomington Police Department he has worked as a Patrol Officer on day shift patrol and has been a member of the Pro-Active Unit. He became a Detective with assignment in the Criminal Investigations Division and Vice Unit in 2006. 

Nowers has been praised for his work within the department with a Letter of Commendation. 

With the new promotion Sergeant Nowers will now be working the third shift patrol.