DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- Decatur Public Schools announced the hiring of Valdimir Talley, Jr., as the District’s new Safety and Security Administrator last month.
According to DPS, Talley has spent more than three decades in law enforcement, most recently as Chief of Police for the Maywood Police Department, from which he retired in 2021. He has more than 18 years of criminal investigative experience; graduated from the FBI National Academy program; and has served as Bureau Chief for the Illinois State Police, Board member for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) Chicago Metropolitan Chapter, and as President-Elect for the Rotary Club of Maywood-Proviso.
"You're going to have to be a tough guy. Children need to know that there are consequences to their actions. It doesn't mean that they have to be arrested and go to jail necessarily," Valdimir Talley told WAND News.
Talley said with more than three decades in law enforcement, he knows how to put policies in place to keep people safe. But he also sees his role in the school as an educator and mentor.
"With education its more about the whole student and making sure they are healthy and that they become good productive citizens," Talley explained.
“Mr. Talley brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to serve the students and staff of Decatur Public Schools,” said Dr. Rochelle Clark, DPS Superintendent. “We take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously. We are pleased to have Mr. Talley join the DPS leadership team and look forward to working proactively to ensure our schools are as secure as they can possibly be.”
Talley is familiar with the Decatur area, having lived here previously, with two children who graduated from Johns Hill Magnet School and Eisenhower High School.
Superintendent Dr. Rochelle Clark said with recent police violence, students may be more willing to trust Talley.
"Having Mr. Talley here is going to help continue that bridge with our police. They'll be able to tell him things they might not be comfortable telling a man in uniform right now," Dr. Clark explained.
While Talley will tackle issues like fights and keeping intruders out, he will also plan for possible emergencies like fires or school shootings.
"The goal is make sure that everybody feels safe when they walk through the door. And that's not just always our kids but for our staff as well," Dr. Clark said.
His first day on the job will be Monday, January 30, 2023.
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