O’Fallon hires from within for new police chief, public safety director

Kirk Brueggeman, a police captain with 23 years of experience, has been named the next Director of Public Safety and the new chief of police in O’Fallon.

In his role as director, he will be responsible for the city’s department that includes O’Fallon Police Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Metro East Communications, the 9-1-1 dispatch center for O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, and Shiloh.

Brueggeman said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve and he looks forward to the challenge.

“I am humbled and honored,” he said. “We will continue to be the most complete and respected public safety department in the region. Safety will always be a top priority and I am honored to help continue the lasting reputation that O’Fallon has gained as a safe place to work, visit, or call home.”

Brueggeman replaces Eric Van Hook, who is retiring Nov. 11 after serving in those roles for eight years. Van Hook, who grew up in Collinsville, spent most of his law enforcement career in O’Fallon. He was the city’s third director of public safety.

Brueggeman thanked the outgoing police chief for his friendship and mentorship.

“I wouldn’t be here without him,” he said.

Under Van Hook’s tenure, the O’Fallon Police Department grew to 50 sworn full-time police officers. He also led the establishment of the Metro East Communications Center (MECOMM), helped create O’Fallon’s first diversity recruitment initiative, launched numerous officer well-being strategies and implemented an officer body-worn camera program.

Mayor Herb Roach announced Brueggeman’s appointment during Monday’s O’Fallon City Council meeting.

“Kirk has served the city of O’Fallon with honor and professionalism for over 20 years,” Roach said. “He is a proven leader, relationship builder, and visionary police officer. He will serve as the next police chief and director of public safety with excellence.”

Van Hook enchoed Roach’s remarks.

“I am extremely excited and proud of Capt. Brueggeman’s accomplishments,” Van Hook said. “He has done everything possible to prepare himself for the position of the director of public safety and chief of police. Kirk is a great leader and will be an incredible asset to law enforcement in our region. I have no doubt that Kirk will hit the ground running and I look forward to watching him grow and expand the successes of OPD.”

Brueggeman, who was promoted to captain five years ago, has served as director of patrol operations since 2019. He has been with the city since 1999.

“I love serving this community. We have some of the best people around who work together and support each other. The support our community gives us is second to none,” he said.

As far as his goals, he said he plans to continue what the previous three chiefs – Van Hook, John Betten and Don Slazinik — started many years ago.

“We are always looking for ways to connect with our community and provide a level of service they we can all be proud of,” he said.

Brueggeman has served as a supervisor for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, and as an instructor at the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission.

He grew up in Swansea and became interested in a law enforcement career when he attended Althoff Catholic High School.

“I was a Fairview Heights Police Explorer and a Swansea volunteer firefighter. I was drawn to the opportunity to be a public servant,” he said.

Brueggeman earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Lindenwood University and has a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command Class No. 460, a 10-week course in law enforcement management that he took part of in 2019 at the Tennessee Highway Patrol Training Academy in Nashville, Tenn.

He is a member of the Southern Illinois, Illinois, and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The interview process for O’Fallon’s top public safety job included the mayor, City Administrator Walter Denton, Assistant City Administrator Grant Litteken and Human Resources Manager Ashley Baker.

“We also solicited input from the council on priorities that they felt were important for the new chief to have,” Roach said. “We took it very seriously, the input we received. It’s an important decision to make for the city and we took our time.”

Roach said Brueggeman knows and understands the job, what is expected, and that he is willing to take on the challenge.

Among the strengths they saw, Roach noted Brueggeman’s leadership and community engagement in particular.

“The leadership that he has demonstrated. His desire to take our community involvement programs to the next level,” Roach said. “His desire to maintain the high standards that we have for our departments and the members of our public safety team and his ability to work with all departments in the city to maintain a safe and prosperous community.”

Roach said they were impressed with his “knowledge of the changing landscape for law enforcement in Illinois, his communications skills and ability to stand up for what he thinks is correct and the knowledge that he has of the personnel within our Public Safety Departments.”

The chief reports directly to Denton.

Alderman Kevin Hagarty, who is the chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, has worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years and is currently a probation supervisor in St. Clair County. Through networking with county and state officials, he said he knows Brueggeman is well-respected.

“I always hear good things. Besides being dependable and hard-working, his cognitive reasoning skills are second to none,” Hagarty said. “He has handled situations with compassion and patience, and he acts in a calm and efficient manner.”

Brueggeman thanked his wife, Maura, who has been with him during his 23-year career in law enforcement. They have three children.

He said his wife reminded him that Sunday was National Police Officer Spouses Day, and he thanked all the spouses “on behalf of all our officers, who keep us grounded at home so we can do our job.”

This story was originally published October 22, 2021 at 2:15 PM.