Government in Joliet
Joliet operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is a nine-member body with four members, including the Mayor, who are elected at large, and five members who are elected from districts. The day-to-day business of the city and other administrative duties are carried out or directed by the City Manager.
The Joliet Fire Department has proudly served its community since 1852. An exceptional fire safety record and a neighborhood-oriented policy ensure that each of the city’s fire stations assumes responsibility for community safety and participates actively in neighborhood initiatives. With nine strategic station locations, fire fighters can respond to calls from any portion of the city in four minutes. In addition to fire and rescue, the fire department provides emergency medical service, special rescue and community fire prevention, and education programs, including “Operation Fire Shield” and “Operation High Rise Safety.”
The Fire Department is involved in Joliet’s Combined Arson Task Force, working with various local and regional departments to discuss area arson incidents and determine the best course of action to solve the crime.
The Joliet Police Department is organized into four distinct divisions, each of which oversees a different part of police work. These divisions are Operations, Technical Services, Investigations, and Quality Assurance. The department is comprised of 265 sworn policemen and four civilian personnel.
In 1991, the police department created what has become a model community policing program that emphasizes neighborhood-oriented policing. Officers are assigned to various tasks in specific neighborhoods. By remaining closely connected with these neighborhoods, the officers are able to identify long-term problems and create and implement customized solutions.
Officers work with school faculty, parent-teacher organizations, students, and neighbors to identify problems and recommend solutions. They provide crime prevention education to students and actively participate in after-school programs such as Right Moves, which rewards students for various achievements. The police department’s SAFE Schools Program has been recognized for its excellence.
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