Columbia’s top cop will command region’s child death task force

A shift in the top brass for the Southern Illinois Child Death Investigation Task Force on Tuesday means new roles for a pair of metro-east officials.

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards on Tuesday announced he was stepping down as chairman of the Task Force’s board of directors. He was then elected as the task force’s commander. Taking Edwards’ place as chairman of the task force’s board was Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn.

The task force is responsible for ensuring that investigations into the death or serious injury of a child are conducted properly. Edwards’ new role includes coordinating the task force’s district commanders stationed throughout the 34 Southern Illinois counties they serve.

“I have been working for many years to improve the relationship between law enforcement and (the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services) employees and to make sure that we work together to ensure the safety of the children of the state of Illinois,” Edwards said. “The task force ensures that we properly investigate every death or serious injury of any child in Southern Illinois and hold people accountable for their actions.”

This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Columbia’s top cop will command region’s child death task force."