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Former Police Chief to be Honored by Crime Stoppers

Aurora Area Crime Stoppers, a community program that offers cash rewards in exchange for information that leads to arrests in unsolved crimes and the location of wanted fugitives, will be saluting their founder—former Aurora Police Chief Robert Brent—along with several other ongoing supporters, on May 23.

Established in 1985, the Crime Stoppers program was only one of Brent’s achievements during his 28 year Aurora Police career, 12 of which were spent as Chief. He was also instrumental in helping to coordinate the complete restructuring of the police department following an extensive survey by the Michigan State School of Police Administration in 1966; oversaw the implementation of 911 service and computer aided dispatch in Aurora; organized the first Special Response (SWAT) Team; planned and implemented the department’s cadet program in 1970, and introduced Neighborhood Watch and other high-profile community outreach initiatives.

Brent was one of 28 police chiefs from across the nation to be chosen to attend the FBI’s first-ever Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar in 1981. He also completed dozens of other specialized police training courses in all phases of administration, patrol, investigations, and personnel management. He retired from the department in 1989.

An Aurora resident since 1946, Brent is an East Aurora High School graduate and attended both Waubonsee Community College and the University of Illinois-Champaign. He is a lifetime member of numerous professional law enforcement organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and has served on dozens of local civic and charitable boards.

Among those scheduled to speak at the recognition are Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Chief of Police Greg Thomas.

The free event is at 7:30 a.m., at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora. It is open to the public. RSVP’s are requested and should be sent to Jim Bondi at bondi@imsa.edu.

Aurora Area Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $5000 for information that leads to arrests in unsolved crimes. They are a 501 (c) (3) organization overseen by a board of community volunteers, and raise reward money strictly through donations from businesses, individuals and organizations. Donations can be sent to Crime Stoppers, 1111 Church Rd., Aurora, IL 60505.

Location: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, Illinois

Contact: Jim Bondi, bondi@imsa.edu