Downers Grove police chief leaving for La Grange

After more than 32 years with the village of Downers Grove, Police Chief Kurt Bluder will leave in January to become the chief of the La Grange Police Department.

Bluder's last day will be Jan. 5. He will begin his tenure with La Grange on Jan. 8.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the village,” Bluder said in a Downers Grove news release. “It's an exceptional organization with exceptional people. The department is in very good hands. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in La Grange and applying my skills in a new community.”

Bluder began working for Downers Grove in 1985 as a member of the Public Works Department, and he made the transition to law enforcement in January 1989, according to the release.

Bluder has a master's degree in public safety administration from Lewis University and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Governors State University, according to a news release from the village of La Grange. He graduated from the FBI National Academy and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

During his time with Downers Grove, he worked in a variety of positions including deputy chief of police for 14 years, the Downers Grove release stated. He was named chief in 2015.

Throughout his career, he participated in the negotiation of many union contracts, prepared and managed department budgets, and served as project manager on the successful consolidation of the Downers Grove and Westmont dispatch centers, according to the release.

Downers Grove Deputy Police Chief Shanon Gillette will serve as acting chief of police effective Jan. 5.

Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully said Bluder's commitment to professionalism and leadership will be missed.

“It is very special that he was able to gain so much experience while serving his hometown, all the while contributing greatly to a department recognized nationally for law enforcement excellence," Tully said in the release.