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Carbondale chooses police chief after 9-month search

After serving nearly nine months as Carbondale Police Interim Chief, Steve Odum was appointed Wednesday to the position of permanent police chief.

Odum, a 27-year-veteran of the department, was one of three final candidates Carbondale City Manager Jeff Doherty had to select from for the permament position of Carbondale Police chief.

"I think this is where Steve excels. He is a very solid administrator with strong managerial skills," Doherty said. "He's a proven leader in the police department and is committed to building relationships within the community."

Odum had served as interim police chief since November 2003, when former police chief R.T. Finney left Carbondale to head Champaign's police department.

Doherty said he made the final decision Tuesday and notified the three candidates and members of the Carbondale City Council Wednesday that Odum would begin his duties as police chief immediately.

According to Doherty, Odum is out of town attending meetings for the Committee of Law Enforcement Accreditation and unavailable to comment on his new position.

"The department is being re-accredited, and he is at a meeting for that purpose," Doherty said. "He will be back next week."

Even though Odum was unavailable to comment, he provided a statement to Doherty when he accepted the position,

"I respect and admire the work of all members of the police department and it is truly an honor to represent them as the Police Chief," Odum said. "I look forward to strengthening the department's existing community relationships and building new ones. Carbondale is a great community, and I am excited to be leading its police department."

Doherty refused to release the names of the other candidates and said there were many factors involved in choosing a permanent police chief.

According to Doherty, background and experience were important factors in making the decision. He said he also looked at feedback from various community groups before making the final decision.

The interview process took place last week, and Doherty said four panels consisting of 24 individuals interviewed the three candidates and provided him with individual recommendations and comments.

Doherty said 48-year-old Odum was chosen based on the panels, personal interviews, feedback and his own observations.

"I think with his leadership within the police department and his commitment to the community, Steve is going to be able to produce effective changes in Carbondale," Doherty said.

Odum began working with the Carbondale Police in 1977 as a patrol officer and was promoted in 1991 to sergeant. Three years later, he was promoted to lieutenant and in 2000; he was named to a newly created position of deputy police chief of operations.

While serving the duties of interim police chief, Odum continued working the position of deputy chief of operations, even though he was only paid for one position.

With Odum's appointment of police chief, his former position of deputy chief of operations is unfilled. Doherty said he will determine if the position is still needed.

Odum earned an associate's degree of science in law enforcement from SIUC in 1981, a bachelor's degree of science in technical careers majoring in law enforcement in 1983 and a master's degree of public administration degree in 1995, all from SIUC.

In addition to his degrees at the University, Odum is also a 1994 graduate of the Illinois Executive Management Institute and a 1999 graduate of the FBI National Academy.