Retiring Centralia Police Chief Greg Dodson says his nearly 23 years at the Centralia Police Department has been an incredible ride with more ups than downs.
Dodson notes after rising through the ranks from patrolman, he served as chief during very challenging times. He served under eight city managers or interim city managers and six months after he became chief COVID hit. Dodson says a city budget crisis followed where he had to make a ten percent budget cut.
Civil unrest then broke out around the country following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. He was proud the Centralia community was able to weather the storm without issues that surfaced in other parts of the country. He credits at least part of that to be the relationship the police department has with the community.
Another challenge dealt with staffing as a result of a large number of retirements and resignations that at one point left the 26-member force short ten officers. Dodson is pleased the department is headed back to full staff with the latest probationary patrolman who is now in the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy.
Dodson also oversaw the renovation and enlargement of the police department, including a new 911 dispatch center, detectives and interview offices, an evidence vault, and the addition of a sally port.
But he says he is most proud of the new cooperative effort with federal and state officials.
We’ve done more work with the U.S. Attorney, the DEA, the FBI, and the State Police than I can ever remember. I think that has significantly helped fight the gang and drug problem we have been experiencing.”
As far as his future is concerned.
“After 29 years in law enforcement, I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life. I’m not sure what it is going to be. I still want to be involved in the community, born in Centralia, spent my whole life here, and plan on spending the rest of my life here.”
Dodson says he has loved his job as a police officer and is proud to have been a member of the Centralia Police Department with its great history and to be able to work with a lot of amazing people.
