By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The search for a new Chief of Police in Bloomington is nearing an end as the selection committee has narrowed its choice to two finalists after a months-long search.

The candidates include Col. Jamal Simington, the deputy director for the Illinois State Police, and Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow.

Col. Simington is a graduate of Kankakee Community College, Governors State University, and the Northwestern University Center for Public Administration. His career in law enforcement began in 1991 at the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as a correctional officer, telecommunicator, and then sheriff’s deputy.

Most recently, Simington was chosen as the Deputy Director for the Division of the Academy and Training in March of 2021.

Chief Kenny Winslow, the other candidate, currently serves as the Chief of Police in Springfield, beginning his career in 1995.

Chief Winslow holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Springfield, and an associate degree from Lewis and Clark Community College. Additionally, Chief Winslow is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program and School of Police Staff and Command, Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Leadership Course, among other executive and management courses.

Most recently, Chief Winslow was named the 2021 Chief of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

“It’s been a careful and detailed process to get to this point. Both (of) these candidates are skilled and possess the ability to bring an already great department to an even higher level,” said City Manager Tim Gleason.

The public will have the chance to meet with the finalist on Monday, Aug. 16, from 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. at the Government Center, located at 115 E. Washington St., in room 400 in downtown Bloomington.

Greg Scott has been interim chief since last September, but he announced that he is retiring after 25 years with BPD.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].