The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its Tuesday, Sept. 21 dinner meeting at Riverview Diner, IL-25 and Mill Street, Montgomery. You do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting, the general public is welcome.
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $25 all-inclusive if an entree is ordered, or $20 for the dinner salad featured that evening. Free entry without food. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m..
The after dinner speaker is Darien Police Chief Greg Thomas whose topic is SAFE-T Act: Impacts on Cops, Courts, Corrections and Community. The Illinois legislature passed HB3653, literally at the 11th hour without much debate. After passage there has been a Trailer Bill (HB3443) passed that modified much of the SAFE-T Act. Due to much press about the SAFE-T Act and little press about the Trailer Bill there is a significant amount of misinformation about what the current SAFE-T Act means to the criminal justice system (police, courts & corrections). Even more importantly what are the impacts to the community. In some cases there is no impact, unfortunately in some cases the impacts of the SAFE-T Act, with and without another Trailer Bill will be felt by the community. Join retired Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas, current Chief of Police for Darien Illinois as he discuss the impacts of the SAFE-T Act.
Greg Thomas began his police career as a cadet in 1978 and became a sworn officer in 1982 for the Aurora Illinois Police Department. He was promoted through the ranks and was Chief of Police in Aurora, April 2008 until his retirement in November 2015. He is police chief in Darien, 20 miles east of Aurora.
Chief Thomas holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Waubonsee Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Lewis University and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Aurora University. He is a graduate of Senior Management Institute for Police and Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Leaders in State and Local Government.
During his career, Chief Thomas worked in the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division and Administrative Services Division. Chief Thomas had been assigned to the Field Training Program, Special Response Team, Employee Review Board and Investigative Deadly Force Team.
Chief Thomas was instrumental in many new programs and initiatives within the police department especially those that concern new technology, training, policy and procedures. As chief, he initiated technology and equipment upgrades such as the new 9-1-1 system, new radio system, Automated Fingerprint Identification System and Leads-on-Line. He developed changes to ordinances including Synthetic Drugs and Pawns / Recycling Centers. He implemented policy changes to promotions and recognition programs. Chief Thomas led the agency through reorganization influenced by difficult economic conditions. The police department has witnessed record reduction of crime nearly reducing crime by 1/2 and accidents by 1/5th during his tenure as chief.
Chief Thomas has spoken to French Commissionaires on Intelligence-Led Policing, delegates from the Chinese Bureau of Justice including the Beijing Police Chief on Community Policing, spoke at the Center for American and International Law on Wrongful Convictions and at the International Police Chiefs conference about attaining goals and performance. He has received numerous awards including the Kendall County Medal of Valor, the Exchange Club of Aurora’s Police Officer of the Year twice and was nominated as the Kane County Officer of the Year.
Chief Thomas lives in Aurora with his wife Julie. They have three children and three grandchildren.
The Aurora Council is having a membership drive, and will pay half of the first year’s dues for new members. This is an excellent opportunity to attend an interesting event, and determine whether you would like to join permanently.
—Aurora Navy League Council 247