Streator native Deputy Chief Robert Turner has been appointed the new Chief of the Streator Police Department.

Chief Turner replaces former Chief Kurt Pastirik, who is retiring Jan. 31 after 34 years in law enforcement. Turner has been with the Streator Police Department since 1994 and has served as a Field Training Officer, Canine Handler, Canine Supervisor, SWAT Team Operator and Sniper, Investigator and Investigations Supervisor. He was promoted to Sergeant in June 2003, graduated from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety Executive Management Program in 2010 and was named Deputy Chief in January 2014.

“I’m looking forward to being able to keep the department moving forward,” Turner said. “I’ve been on the administrative team for the last six years, so I’ve had input already. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us.”

One of the challenges Turner is referencing is the criminal justice omnibus bill, House Bill 3653, a bill that has not yet been signed into effect that would end cash bail and overhaul police certification.

“We’re going to keep providing the same support and aid that we can,” Turner said. “We’ll do everything we can to help the citizens with the challenges they face.”

City Manager David Plyman said he appointed Turner to lead the police department because he believes Turner has demonstrated his ability to assess problems and resolve them in a professional and ethical manner through his past job performance.

Turner is one of three police officers in his family. His father, Robert Turner Sr., is a retired lieutenant from the Streator Police Department, and the next police chief’s son, Taylor, is a patrolman in Bloomington.