St. Charles Hires New Police Chief from Bloomington, IL

St. Charles has hired a new police chief from Bloomington, IL.

Randy McKinley, current police chief in Bloomington, will start with the city Jan. 21. 

The city council approved Mayor Sally Faith's appointment of McKinley on Tuesday. 

McKinley has been with the Bloomington Police Department for 29 years, according to a press release from the city. He served as police chief for the past four years. 

The city also considered Interim Police Chief Larry Stulce, on loan from St. Louis County Police Department and Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine. 

More than 45 people applied for the position, which was vacated in April by Dennis Corley. 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the vote for McKinley was not unanimous among members of the city council. 

McKinley will be paid $126,000 a year. 

McKinley, 53, told the Bloomington Pantagraph that he's looking forward to meeting with city staff.

 “It’s exciting and a little bit unnerving,” said McKinley. “I think they have a great department and from who I’ve met and talked to of their command staff, they have really, really sharp individuals.” 

Read our earlier stories about the search for a police chief: 

• Police Chief Dennis Corley Resigns
• Mayor Recommends St. Louis County Police Captain for Interim Police Chief Job
• More Than 45 Apply for St. Charles Police Chief Job
• St. Charles Police Chief Search Narrows
• Interim Police Chief to Evaluate Policing Model for City
• St. Charles Considers Rule Revision on Take-Home Police Cars