Alumni Feature - Malec, Blackburn and Brown
Law enforcement in the 21st century is evolving rapidly, as police face new threats and challenges along with increased scrutiny from the public and the media. The law enforcement profession is responding with significant changes in the areas of leadership, structure, culture, policy and technology – according to the University of San Diego. As part of the Joliet Police Department, Lewis alumni Dawn Malec ’20, Sherrie Blackburn ’20 and Robert Brown ’19 recognize this opportunity for growth and are ready to take on the challenge, together. In January 2020, Chief Dawn Malec was named as the first-ever female interim police chief for the Joliet Police Department. About a month later, she was appointed to Chief of Police. Serving beside her are recently promoted fellow Flyers Deputy Chief Robert Brown and Deputy Chief Sherrie Blackburn, who is also the first-ever female deputy chief of police for the department. “I am excited that we are on this journey together,” says Malec. “During a tim