Freeport Police Chief Matt Summers Announces Retirement

FREEPORT POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW SUMMERS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

After 28 years of serving the Freeport Police Department, Chief Matthew Summers has announced his retirement, effective April 21, 2023. Summers has served as the department’s Chief of Police since 2019.

Chief Summers began his employment with the Freeport Police Department in 1995 and served in a variety of teams and units including the Detective Bureau, Community Policing, and Emergency Response Team. His roles have included Shift Sergeant, Administrative Lieutenant, Operations Lieutenant, and Deputy Chief of Police.

Summers is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.

“It has truly been an honor to work with both past and present officers of the Freeport Police Department,” says Chief Matt Summers. “It has equally been an honor to work for and be supported by the citizens of Freeport.”

“It has been a pleasure working with the Chief these past five and a half years,” adds Freeport City Manager, Randy Bukas. “He’s been a team leader, not only in the police department but within the city staff. His innovations brought us License Plate Readers, ShotSpotter, and Tip411. He will be missed, but we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Chief Summers has been instrumental in implementing crime-fighting technology throughout the City, such as ShotSpotter’s gunfire location technology, License Plate Readers, and the Freeport’s pilot residential doorbell program. Among other accomplishments, Chief Summers maintained a good relationship with the community he served and earned City of Freeport’s Department Head of the Year in 2021.

On April 9 2023, Lt. Chris Shenberger will be appointed as the department’s Interim Chief of Police.

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