Peru council swears in new police chief, deputy chief

The Council Chambers in Peru City Hall were jammed Monday night, as the seats were filled with friends, family members and colleagues to welcome new Police Chief Bob Pyszka and Deputy Chief Sarah Raymond.

Pyszka was approved by the City Council for the position in July and has since selected his colleague Raymond to move from vommander to the deputy chief position. Former Police Chief Doug Bernabei will assume the newly-created position of police lieutenant.

While the transfer of titles won’t become official until Wednesday, the council sworn-in Pyszka and Raymond into their new positions during Monday’s meeting.

Pyszka, who has been with the Peru Police Department for nearly 31 years, was excited about the opportunity and said it had been a long-time goal of his.

“This has been a goal of mine for quite some time,” Pyszka said. “When Chief (Glenn) Fredrickson was here, which was prior to Chief Bernabei, he called everybody in and asked ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ That was about 20 years ago and I said ‘With all due respect Chief Frederickson but I would love to be sitting in your chair.’ ”

Pyszka mentioned the support he has received from community members, friends and family has been amazing as he begins to take over as head of the Peru Police Department.

Pyszka said the decision to promote Raymond was his own and they have worked successfully alongside each other for many years.

“Basically for the last four years we’ve worked shoulder to shoulder, meaning in our small cubicle at our old police department,” Pyszka said. “She’s proven to me that she is well deserving for the job and I look forward to working with her on my executive management team.”

Raymond has been with the Peru Police Department since 2004 while serving under multiple positions. Raymond has been sergeant, patrol sergeant and most recently commander.

She was the recipient of the Illinois Valley Association of Chiefs’ Police Officer of the Year Award in 2008 and was the Medal of Valor Award recipient from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 2008.

Raymond said she was honored to receive the position under Pyszka and looks forward to continuing the work she loves and has done for nearly two decades.

“Serving the city of Peru is something I’ve been doing for the last 18 years and I thoroughly enjoy it,” Raymond said. “I love Peru, I love the citizens of Peru and I love serving them. Being selected for the position is very humbling and I am honored to take over as deputy chief.”

Raymond said she has worked well with Pyszka and they plan to move the department forward.

“It’s been a great experience so far and I believe that will carry on,” Raymond said. “He and I have worked very closely together and we’ve been in the same office even for the past three and a half years.”