During Monday evening’s Macomb City Council meeting, Interim Macomb Police Department (MPD) Chief Todd Tedrow was sworn into the position permanently after a unanimous vote of approval by the council. His annual base salary is set at $105,750.
“He was a natural choice for this position, and on behalf of the council, we extend our very, very best wishes.
I could not be more pleased that Lt.
Tedrow has been appointed as our new chief of police” said Macomb Mayor Michael Inman. “He has built a distinguished professional career with the Macomb Police Department, and he not only enjoys the respect of the women and men of the Macomb Police Department, he also has the respect and confidence of our community partners.”
Tedrow had served as the interim chief since Jeff Hamer’s retirement Dec. 12, 2025, and prior to that role, he was a lieutenant investigator with the MPD. The Mac-Murray College graduate joined the Macomb force in 2009 as a patrol officer.
“I’m excited for the position and feel fortunate to have been able to ‘test drive’ the position as the interim chief,” Tedrow said. “The support I’ve received both internally from the department, and externally from the community, as well as feeling comfortable in the role, made it an easy decision to accept the role permanently.”
Tedrow said his goals are to further reduce crime through proactive policing and community partnerships, as well as to improving operational effectiveness with updated equipment and technology. He added he also would like to expand the department’s mental health responses, as well as have a continued focus on recruitment and retention of officers, and foster the continued development and growth of the department’s current employees.
“We are seeing a lot more mental health crisis-related calls, and I want our officers to respond empathetically,” he added. “We will continue to train officers, and to approach policing proactively to ensure a safe and caring community.”
After being named to the interim role, Tedrow said he took a “deep dive” into the department’s technology and equipment, and is dedicated to ensuring the department has what it needs to run as efficiently and effectively as possible. He is also committed to ensuring a diverse police force, with the department’s recruitment team seeking candidates through such organizations as the YMCA and the military, as well as locally through Western Illinois University’s program. The department’s roster is composed of 25 officers, including eight female officers, which is the largest number of female officers in MPD’s history. Under former Chief Jeff Hamer, the department initiated an expansion of the female locker room, which Tedrow and Operations Commander Troy Shoudel saw through completion following Hamer’s retirement.
“When we expand and renovate our building in the near future (following the relocation of the county’s 911 center), we will be adding a lactation room as well to ensure compliance for our female employees,” he added.
Tedrow began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office while he attended MacMurray. During his career with Macomb Police, Tedrow has served as a patrol supervisor, investigators, strategic response team commander, range officer, field training officer and a K-9 officer. Throughout his tenure, he has received several honors, including multiple Life Saving Awards, Officer of the Year, Meritorious Service Award, ISPA Law Enforcement Award for Valor, Chief’s Recognition Award, and Physical Fitness Award. He has also served as the vice president of the 596th class of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Training, and has been an active member of Macomb Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 189.
For more Council news read Patrick Stout’s City Council report.
