Plainfield deputy police chief named IU-Bloomington police chief
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — A deputy chief with the Plainfield Police Department on Thursday was named the new police chief of Indiana University Police Department.
An IU news release said Lees will begin the new job March 4. She will will lead 45 full-time officers on the Bloomington campus, which has a daytime population of almost 53,000.
Lees will succeed Laury Flint, who is taking on IUPD responsibilities involving community engagement and risk assessment. The announcement came from Lauren Robel, the IU-Bloomington provost and executive vice president, and Benjamin Hunter, associate vice president for public safety and institutional assurance, according to the release.
Plainfield Police Department Chief of Police Jared McKee said he has appointed Detective Joe Aldridge to immediately replace Lees. Aldridge has served with the Plainfield police since 2002 in several different capacities including patrol, bicycle patrol, the United Drug Task Force, investigations and Honor Guard. For the last two years, he has served as a detective sergeant in investigations. Aldridge also serves on the police department’s pension board and serves as a third-grade Sunday school teacher at Plainfield Christian Church. He is married to his wife, Martha, of 16 years and has two sons, Carter and Jack.
The IU release said Lees graduated from the IU Police Academy in 1994 and began her career at the Plainfield Police Department a week after graduating from IU. Her current job in Plainfield as deputy chief of support includes the support services and criminal investigations branches.
Lee said in a statement in the IU release:
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the police chief of IUPD’s Bloomington division. I started my law enforcement career here as a cadet officer and am so excited to be able to come back to serve where I began. My years in law enforcement have helped prepare me for the next chapter, and I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity.”
Hunter said in a statement in the IU release:
“Chief Lees has an impressive record working with individuals to advance community-oriented policing in Plainfield. Our students, staff and faculty on the Bloomington campus will benefit from her commitment to transparency, open-dialogue and clear communication. Her experience and forward-thinking leadership skills make her an outstanding fit for this important position.”
