Southwestern Illinois town gets new police chief as it considers hiring more officers
Venice has a new police chief.
Former Brooklyn Detective Antonio White has been hired to lead the Venice Police Department, succeeding former Chief Theo Adams, who recently retired. Adams had been chief since 2009.
White started his new job Monday.
Venice Mayor Tyrone Echols said he is excited about White becoming the new chief. “I am looking for good things out of White. I think things are going to be fine,” Echols said.
White, who is 49, is ecstatic over his new position.
“This opportunity is my lifelong dream... to become the chief of police. I want to lead others and show that law enforcement can work together with the community,” White said. “This is my big opportunity.”
White says he is ready for the job and credits Tony Tomlinson, the current chief of security at McKendree College, former East St. Louis Park District Police Chief Marvin Strode, former Washington Park Police Chief Calvin Hammonds, and Cahokia Heights Police Chief Steve Brown with helping to train and prepare him for his career in law enforcement.
Echols said White is a good choice as Venice’s new chief. “He was impressive. I think he is the right guy for it. He’s a preacher, a God man, so I have faith in him,” Echols said.
The mayor said White’s salary as chief is still in discussion.
For now, White is the only full-time police officer in Venice.
Echols says officials are considering having up to seven full- and part-time officers, in addition to White, when they complete staffing the department.
White said officers who want to further their careers should apply.
“I plan to make sure the citizens of Venice are taken care of. We will have a police/community oriented police department where the citizens will have confidence in the police department and the job we do,” White said.
Echols said he is grateful to the Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police for policing Venice.
The mayor said crime in Venice has not been bad. “We get sporadic shootings here and there,” Echols said.
He said the state’s conceal and carry law may be contributing to the sporadic shootings. But, he is pleased there has not been a tremendous amount of crime. And, he wants to keep it that way.
In Brooklyn, someone is being promoted to replace White as detective. Brooklyn Police Chief Thomas Jeffery said the town has three full-time officers in the police academy and two part time officers. He said it is not easy to get good qualified applicants. He cites the danger that comes with the job and the current climate surrounding police as reasons why.
White said he is thankful that Mayor Echols hired him.
He is also thankful for his supportive family. “My wife is very supportive and I need that. Family is important in my life,” he said.
And, he said the words of his mother, Apostle Ariette Jefferson Mary, steering him towards patience and constant, steady hard work toward his goal, have had monumental influence. “She told me to wait on God and don’t move without him. God gave me the nod to go ahead.”
