STREATOR – Retired Chicago Police Department Commander John Franklin has been appointed Streator’s new Police Chief, effective September 1. He replaces former Police Chief Robert Turner, who retired from the Streator Police Department on June 26.
According to a media release from the City of Streator, in addition to his 28 years tenure on the Chicago Police Department, Franklin has served as police chief in Chicago suburb Dolton, Illinois (population 21,426) and the Little Rock, Arkansas suburb of Jacksonville (population 28,364). He also served as an Adjunct Professor in Criminal Justice at Daley College from 2011 to 2018.
From 1982, Franklin rose through the ranks at the Chicago Police Department as a patrol/tactical officer, sergeant, lieutenant and commander. He was assigned to lead numerous investigative teams, including carjackings, drug enforcement, high risk entry team, and area gun and gang teams. He was also assigned to direct the operations of the Chicago police special functions section, which consisted of the following units: SWAT, mounted equine, marine and helicopter, K-9, animal crimes investigations and dignitary protection.
Franklin earned a Bachelor’s degree in speech/media communications from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in social/criminal justice from Lewis University. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s police staff and command school and the Chicago Police Department’s executive development program.
The City of Streator operates under the City Manager form of government in which the city manager appoints department heads. City Manager David Plyman says he appointed Franklinto lead the Streator Police Department because Franklin has a proven track record of leading police officers. At one time, he commanded over 300 officers in Chicago. Franklin is experienced in all facets of law enforcement and is committed to serving Streator in a professional and ethical manner.
