Carol Stream Police emphasize community programs and technology; department wins statewide awards
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Summary
Deputy Chief Brian Kleeber outlined community outreach programs such as Adopt-a-Cop and Citizens Police Academy, described a new drone program (10 certified pilots and six drones) and said the department earned statewide recognition including an ILACP Officer of the Year and a traffic-safety award.
Deputy Chief Brian Kleeber told attendees that the Carol Stream Police Department is prioritizing proactive community engagement alongside investments in technology.
Kleeber highlighted recurring programs including an Adopt-a-Cop partnership with second-grade classes, the Citizens Police Academy and the department’s “Blue Scoop” ice-cream trailer outreach. He described a middle-school “Cops and Bobbers” fishing tournament and the town’s revamped National Night Out, which drew more than 1,000 attendees despite rain.
On technology, Kleeber said the department trained 10 drone pilots and acquired six drones; since program launch in January the department has conducted more than 100 flights with 67 operational flights tied to calls for service. He credited drone imagery with a successful search that likely saved a life.
Kleeber also described investments in automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) — both fixed units and mobile overlays on in-car Axon Fleet 3 cameras — and said those systems provide near-immediate alerts to officers for stolen vehicles, wanted persons and other hits. He showed a tactical robot (TacBot) and said the department integrated ICAT (Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics) scenario-based training throughout the force.
Awards and grants: Kleeber said Officer Carol Bridal received the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Officer of the Year award and that the department won first place in the Illinois traffic-safety challenge for agencies with 51–69 sworn officers. He listed grants that funded technology: a $53,000 Illinois attorney-general organized-retail-theft grant and $165,000 in body-camera grant funding; he said a recruitment and retention grant application was denied.
Next steps and oversight: Kleeber said the department plans to expand training, pursue accreditation tiers and continue leveraging technology to improve investigations and officer safety. He urged residents to follow department updates on social media and to attend community events.
