Outstanding Brother: Calumet Chief of Police has long career in law enforcement

Calumet City Police Chief Chris Fletcher was recently recognized by The Suburban Marquee as an “Outstanding Brother” due to his accomplishments in that position and role in the community.

But he says his most significant accomplishments are yet to come.

Fletcher told The Suburban Marquee that there were public safety improvements, such as the ShotSpotter system. It enables law enforcement to detect the location of an incident involving gunfire quickly. Yet, he is always focused on what still needs to be done.

“Whenever there is still crime in a town in which you are the chief, it’s hard to say that you’ve had great accomplishments,” Fletcher said. “But great accomplishments are my goal.”

Born and raised on the South Side, Fletcher has been in law enforcement since he was 21 years old, starting at the Chicago Police Department (CPD) in 1986. After 29 years with CPD, ascending from patrolman to commander and working in areas including mass transit and narcotics, Fletcher left CPD in 2016 to Calumet City police chief.

“Being a police officer is one of the most demanding, yet rewarding, professions in the world,” Fletcher said. “You truly have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others, to help others, each and every day. That’s an incredible feeling.”

While Fletcher said that he could vouch for the sentiment that “a majority of officers are great officers,” he acknowledged that law enforcement still has improvements to make. He encouraged those who are critical of police to consider joining their ranks.

“It’s a profession that certainly needs changes in many areas and needs more diversity in the ranks, so their addition to our profession can make a positive difference,” he said.

In terms of ongoing efforts, the Calumet Police Department is in the process of implementing body-worn cameras for officers, Fletcher said.

The law enforcement veteran welcomes the transparency the cameras will bring to their work and the potential to increase the comfort of residents and serve as a tool for policing.