May 6, 2021
Evanston Police Departmentâs aerial fleet is unassuming: a single four-rotor drone, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
While small, the drone makes up the entirety of an Unmanned Aerial System program, jointly operated by Evanstonâs police and fire departments. A year after purchase, the drone has not yet been employed in the field. As the departments work to get the program airborne, however, questions of legality remain around some of the droneâs intended uses.
The droneâs primary benefit is its ability to perform tasks such as water rescue and live fire analysis faster and more safely than a team of officers, according to police sergeant Scott Sophier. Sophier coordinates the UAS program, in addition to supervising EPDâs Community Policing Unit, a team of officers tasked with fostering trust between police and the community.
Paul Polep was sworn in as the permanent chief of Evanston Fire Department during Monday’s City Council meeting, concluding his three-month tenure as interim chief.
Polep was selected as interim chief in January, days before former Fire Chief Brian Scott retired. City Manager Erika Storlie announced Polep’s permanent appointment as chief on April 8 along with the promotions of Kelley Gandurski to deputy city manager and Nicholas Cummings to corporation counsel.
“(Gandurski), (Cummings) and Chief Polep are experienced, proven leaders who share a steadfast commitment to public service,” Storlie wrote in the announcement. “Their leadership and expertise have been invaluable to our City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be just as critical as we begin to shift focus to our community’s recovery.”
Reply
(City of Evanston)
EVANSTON, IL Evanston City Manager Erika Storlie today announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Paul Polep as interim chief of the Evanston Fire Department.
Polep, a 24-year veteran of the department with 30 years of fire service experience, will assume his new role following the retirement of Fire Chief Brian Scott on Friday, January 15. Deputy Chief Polep is an experienced and capable leader dedicated to protecting the health and safety of Evanston firefighters and the greater community, Storlie said. I appreciate him stepping up to lead the Evanston Fire Department in this critical role.
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Polep began his service with the Evanston Fire Department in 1996 and has risen through the ranks, serving as captain, division chief of emergency medical services, and most recently as deputy chief of operations. As deputy chief, Polep has managed the day-to-day operations of the Evanston Fire Department while also implementing key upgrades to the d
Evanston Now
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m.
A packet with information on tonight’s agenda items is available online.
Meeting called to order at 5:54 p.m.
All aldermen present except Aldermen Fiske and Fleming. They both join later.
Mayor Steve Hagerty notes the Evanston Community Foundation is near its goal for emergency pandemic relief.
Asks everyone who has the means to do carryout from restaurants to help them through the tough months of January and February made even tougher by the pandemic.
Regarding the multiple shooting incidents in Chicago and Evanston on Saturday, Police Chief Demitrous Cook says, “This is the most horrific deal I’ve been in in 41 years in law enforcement. Praises the police officers involved in the incident. Says psychological services will be available to members of the police department.