Doug Bernabei out Sept. 1 as Peru police chief

After 15 years leading the Peru Police Department, Police Chief Doug Bernabei was dismissed, and by Mayor Ken Kolowski’s request, Deputy Chief Bob Pyszka was appointed to succeed him effective Sept. 1.

The council approved an employment agreement Tuesday for a new position of police lieutenant for Bernabei. This position will be third in command of the police department.

Before the vote was made, many aldermen thanked Bernabei for his years of service as chief and wished both he and Pyszka the best of luck moving forward.

Alderman Mike Sapienza first said he was opposed to the presumptive change at the top of the police department.

“Peru has become the leader in our area due in part to the efforts of one man you are wanting to replace (Tuesday),” Sapienza said. “Voting on the decision to replace him has been the absolutely hardest decision I’ve had to make since becoming an alderman.”

Sapienza went on to mention he took an oath to best follow what he believes is best for the city of Peru.

“I can’t abandon this pledge and my honest beliefs of what is right and wrong simply because someone else feels differently than I do,” Sapienza said. “I took an oath and I’m going to live by it. I’m going to vote for what I feel is right for the law and order of our city.”

Sapienza concluded his statement by asking for a public explanation from Kolowski before the vote took place as to why this appointment was presented to the council. This call for an explanation was also echoed by Alderman David Waldorf.

“Mr. Mayor, the gravity of your appointment tonight deserves a detailed explanation to the citizens,” Sapienza said. “I certainly hope you’ll explain your actions to them tonight before this vote. This will be your appointment, which you have the legal right to do. It’s your appointment and it’s my vote.”

“I have been sick about this vote since I heard that the mayor intended to replace you,” Waldorf said about Bernabei. “I agree with Alderman Sapienza that a detailed explanation needs to be given to the people of the city. I work with the public and throughout the day today I’ve gotten calls and visits from people asking why and the best I can do is ‘This is the mayor’s appointment.’ ”

Kolowski did not provide any explanation during the meeting or before the vote as to why he chose to make the appointment. The vote to approve Pyszka’s appointment was passed with a 7-1 vote, with Sapienza accounting for the lone no vote.

Kolowski later provided some details to the media after the conclusion of the regular meeting. When asked about the background surrounding his decision to appoint Pyszka, Kolowski said it was a long process that happened through many discussions over the past few months.

“It wasn’t done hastily but with a lot of back-and-forth with the team,” Kolowski said. “I just feel that Deputy Pyszka has been serving and protecting our community for over 30 years and I just felt he deserved an opportunity to serve and protect our community as Peru police chief.”

Kolowski said his decision wasn’t performance-based and to him it was a decision based off of pivoting into a slightly different direction. Not much more of an explanation regarding the specific reason for the decision was provided.

“Change is always difficult, but it’s just something that I felt was important for our city to do at this time,” Kolowski said.

Kolowski also joined all the aldermen who spoke in thanking Bernabei for his service as chief.

A few months ago when Kolowski began making appointments to city officials, Bernabei’s name was notably left off of the list. Kolowski said at that time the city and Bernabei were still in discussions.

An agreement between the two parties was not met for Bernabei to remain chief. Bernabei will now begin to transition to his newly-created role of lieutenant.

Bernabei provided a statement shortly following the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting saying he is happy to remain with the Peru Police Department in a different role.

“I am very pleased with the approval by the Peru City Council for my employment agreement to transition from Chief of Police to a new role as a Lieutenant of Administrative Services at the Peru Police Department effective Sept. 1, 2021,” Bernabei said in the statement.

According to the release, Bernabei began discussing his desire to establish a timeline for a potential transition with then-mayor Scott Harl and other city officials in early 2020 before the pandemic.

Bernabei mentioned he is proud of his accomplishments as chief. The city has seen a 56.48% reduction in crime since he took over in 2006, he said. This has been accomplished while seeing a slight population increase and continued retail and industrial expansion on the north end of town.

Bernabei thanked all who had a hand in his time as chief, from the officers he served with, elected officials and the Peru community.

“There is no question that even in these challenging times across our nation, the Peru community and the Peru Police Department have a positive relationship second to none,” Bernabei said. “I can’t imagine any better time to leave the position as chief of police and to serve and assume this administrative support role and to continue to serve the good people of the city of Peru.”

The new appointment will now create a vacancy at the deputy chief position as officials will begin looking to fill that role.