Winfield's acting police chief gets job full-time

A longtime Winfield police officer emerged from a field of more than 100 applicants and will be sworn in Thursday as the new chief of police.

Stacy Reever, a 22-year veteran who has served as interim chief since March, will take over the post left vacant when former chief Frank Bellisario retired after 30 years with the department.

Village President Deb Birutis said she was impressed by Reever's on-the-job performance and the new chief's experience in Winfield also was a plus.

“She has demonstrated excellent leadership as both deputy chief and as interim chief of police,” Birutis said. “Somebody that is dedicated to a village and is passionate about her position definitely deserves the job.”

Birutis said Reever's annual salary will remain unchanged at $111,225. She also said Reever's former deputy chief position will remain unfilled, meaning an annual savings of “about $100,000” for the department in salary.

“For the time being, it is a position that has been eliminated from the police department,” Birutis said. “That does not mean the board cannot reconsider that at a later date.”

After receiving more than 100 applications, an outside consultant narrowed the field to about 20 candidates, who then received questionnaires. That resulted in six finalists, one of whom was Reever.

Reever started on the force in 1989 and has served in several capacities, including sergeant, deputy chief and interim chief.