Chief of Police
Chief Michael P. Trafton is a 26-year veteran of the Joliet Police Department. Having begun his career as a patrol officer in 1985, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004, lieutenant in 2008, commander in 2008, deputy chief in 2009, and chief in 2011.
Throughout his career, he has served the Department in various assignments to include field training officer, canine officer, tactical officer, crisis negotiator, Special Services officer, supervisor of the Department’s Neighborhood Response Team and Joliet Narcotics Unit, Operations commander, and deputy chief. He has also served as President, Vice President, and Board member of the Joliet Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 58 and Board Member and Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Committee.
A graduate of Lincoln Way Central High School, Michael Trafton received his Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1985. He has attended various police-related management courses to include Managing Criminal Investigations (1987) and Supervision of Police Personnel (2002). He is also a graduate of the prestigious Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command (2004),
Michael Trafton has received many Department awards for his outstanding performance as well as many letters of appreciation from citizens and civic groups. He was the 1992 recipient of the Exchange Club of Joliet’s Officer of the Year Award and the VFW’s Officer of the Year Award in 1993.
Michael Trafton is married to Melissa and the father of Katherine (21), Alexandria (17), and Nicole (15).