Joliet moves to add digital forensics analyst and to contract mental-health services for officers and dispatch

The City of Joliet’s public safety committee reported Oct. 5 that the police department will seek to add a digital forensic evidence and data analyst and pursue a sole-source contract to provide mental-health services to officers and dispatchers. Chief Evans described the planned analyst position as an exempt, non‑bargaining role that would “identify, process, and analyze, and report on a wide variety of digital and electronic evidentiary items,” helping detectives process electronic evidence more quickly. “An employee will perform electronic evidence and data processing to assist detectives…providing timely and pertinent information to help us solve crimes,” Chief Evans said. Committee members told council they view the hire as urgent and recommended bringing the matter to full council for approval. Council members asked whether the city could accelerate recruitment; Mayor Darcy said the city will work with HR and noted the preferred candidate is retiring from another jurisdiction and the city would “make it happen as soon as we can.” Separately, the committee recommended a sole‑source agreement with Blue Line Professional Consultants LLC to support mental‑health services for officers and dispatchers. The item was placed on the council agenda for formal approval at a later meeting. The committee also heard a presentation on a Violence Prevention Network from Miguel Cambry, a special projects consultant with the Joliet Township Violence Prevention Network, who urged coordination among police, fire, health care and education stakeholders after tragic incidents. Cesar Guerrero, the township supervisor, introduced the presentation. No final hiring authorization or contract award was approved Oct. 5; council discussion centered on committee recommendations and direction to staff to proceed with recruitment and to schedule contract approval at an upcoming meeting.