A new Galesburg Deputy Police Chief has been appointed. Lt. Kevin Legate will fill the position effective Monday. According to a press release by the City of Galesburg, “an internal search was conducted with seven well-qualified applicants interviewing” for the position. A Western Illinois University graduate with a Bachelor of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration degree, Legate began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer for Rock Island before joining the Galesburg Police Department in 2001 as a patrol officer. He subsequently served as a MEG Agent with the Peoria Multi-County Narcotic Unit before returning to the GPD in 2009 as an Investigator.
In a statement, Legate said, “I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Galesburg, developing the potential of personnel within our organization, and implementing goals and initiatives to make our community a safe place for residents to call home.”
Legate will replace Deputy Chief Hostens who departed in June after he accepted the position of Chief of Police for Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. A swearing-in ceremony for Deputy Police Chief Legate will be held on Monday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. At the ceremony, Sergeant Patrick Kisler will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Officer Magdalene Semington to the rank of Sergeant.