Don Strom

Download

While on the job, Strom had extensive interaction with law enforcement personnel, reviving an interest in a career in that field that had lingered in his mind since watching episodes of "Adam-12" at an early age and serving as police chief for the day in junior high.

Strom decided to go for it, and for the next 20 years, he worked his way up the ranks in the Carbondale police force, from rookie patrol officer to chief of police. Strom participated in several task forces, spent three years as a detective and served as both a patrol sergeant and the department's accreditation officer.

With the help of his police force, Strom established numerous programs that helped bring the police closer to the community, especially the local schools.

After serving as chief of the Carbondale Police Department for nearly eight years, Strom decided to focus on working further for the community by running for the 115th District state representative seat with a campaign centered around three issues: education, economic development and crime prevention.

Although his campaign was unsuccessful, Strom said the election was a valuable experience and a great opportunity to meet people throughout Southern Illinois.

Strom was quickly thrust back into a law enforcement role when he was appointed inspector general for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. In that position, Strom helped turn around an uncooperative, controversial office. Through the help of his investigations, Strom's predecessor was indicted on charges of obstructing investigations of corruption.

In addition, Strom aided in Operation Saferoad, an investigation into selling illegal driver's licenses. He was often praised by the secretary of state's office for his work tracking down internal misconduct in the Illinois administration.

As director of Campus Police at the University, Strom has pulled together both his law enforcement and community service experience to help continue building the police department. By maintaining a "professional, well-trained force that treats people fairly and compassionately," Strom aims to increase the department's function within the University.