Flossmoor police Chief Jerel Jones will “part ways” with the village after less than a year leading the force, Mayor Michelle Nelson announced Thursday.
“When performance concerns arise, it is our responsibility to communicate those concerns to that employee and provide them with guidance and resources so they can be successful in their role,” Nelson wrote in a statement. “What I can tell you is that there have been serious operational and administrative lapses under his watch.”
Nelson declined to give any specifics about Jones’ performance, saying that was out of respect for Jones and the process. But she wrote “it has become clear that it is best for the Village if all parties part ways.”
In February, rumor spread that Jones and Deputy Chief Keith Taylor were on the hot seat after a recent performance review. When an item to discuss the employees’ status made its way onto the Monday’s Village Board agenda, residents packed the chamber to support Jones and Taylor and demand specifics about the job concerns.
Residents did not get any response from the village Monday, but Nelson said Thursday, Jones was let go while Taylor remains in his role.
Jones left his role as Macomb’s police chief and was hired by Flossmoor in March 2023. He became the first Black police chief in more than 100 years for Flossmoor, which is more than 60% Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Many residents at Monday’s Village Board meeting cited his short tenure, that he moved his family to the town and that a Black town should have a Black police chief reasons to let him correct any alleged issues.
An interim chief of police has not been named.
hsanders@chicagotribune.com
