Plainfield Police Department Deputy Chief Accepts Chief Role at Alma Mater

PLAINFIELD, IN – Plainfield Deputy Police Chief, Jill Lees, has accepted the Chief of Police position at Indiana University-Bloomington. Lees’ last day with the Plainfield Police Department will be March 1, 2019. Lees has been with the Plainfield Police Department for 23 years and has worked her way up the ranks within the Department.

“This has been a long time dream for Jill,” said Police Chief Jared McKee. “I could not be happier to see this dream come true and watch her step into such an important role.”

Jill Lees has served the Town of Plainfield since 1995 and was named Deputy Police Chief by Chief Jared McKee in August of 2018. Prior to stepping into that role, she was Captain of the Support Services Division since 2012. Lees is originally from Hammond, Indiana and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. Lees worked as an IU Campus Police Officer before being sworn into the Plainfield PD. In 2006, Lees graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis with a Graduate Certificate in Public Management and was then named the Department’s CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) Accreditation Manager. Lees works off-duty as a CALEA Assessor; she is also a DARE Officer, R.A.D. Instructor, Chaplain, Hostage Negotiator and Public Information Officer for the Plainfield Police Department. As Deputy Chief, Lees was in charge of the Support Services, Detective and Records Branches of the department.

“Chief Lees is a prominent figure within the Plainfield community. She is involved in many organizations in Plainfield,” said President of the Town Council, Robin Brandgard. “We have been blessed to have her as the face of the Police Department for so many years. It will be hard to see her go but we are proud of everything she has accomplished and know Jill will forever have Plainfield in her heart.”

Jill Lees will be responsible for overseeing operations within the IU Police Department, such as patrol officers, investigators, K9, cadet officers, and university events.  She will be working closely with Superintendent/Associate Vice President Ben Hunter, his staff, and the administration of Indiana University to ensure student and faculty safety, address trending issues on campus and also working with Bloomington Police Department and other local agencies.    

“I cannot put into words how important Jill is to our department, but we look forward to continuing our relationship and building on the current relationship with her new department Indiana University Police Department,” said McKee.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to have been selected as Chief of Police at Indiana University – Bloomington division.  My career at Plainfield PD has prepared me for this step.  All of my hard work and career experiences in Plainfield will help me to transition at IU.  I am very excited to go back to where I started my career in law enforcement,” said Jill Lees. “I personally want to thank everyone that I have created relationships with over the years at the Plainfield Police Department.  I truly cherish the friendships that I have made and all of the great memories.  Thank you also to everyone in the Town of Plainfield and Hendricks County that I have worked with over the years.”