The Galesburg Police Department will sear in its’ first minority female to the rank of Sergeant on Monday, August 14, 2023. Sergeant Patrick Kisler is being promoted to Lieutenant and Officer Magdalene Semington is being promoted to replace Sgt. Kisler and be the first minority female to rise to the rank of Sergeant within the Galesburg Police Department.
“We are extremely proud to promote Officer Semington to Sergeant,” said Chief Russell Idle. “She is an outstanding officer and possesses all of the top qualities we look for in public safety leadership. This milestone in diversification is long overdue and I anticipate that it will further open the doors of inclusion in police department leadership.”
Semington began her career with the City of Galesburg in 2004 as a telephone systems operator, promoted to dispatcher only a few months later, and was promoted to patrol officer in 2006. Semington has excelled at effectively working with the public and proactive patrol activities throughout her career in law enforcement. She was named Crime Stopper’s Officer of the Year in 2019 because of her compassionate and heroic response to a call for a suicidal subject, which resulted in her pulling a suicidal individual back from the ledge of the I-74 bridge. Her actions saved the life of the person in crisis as well as prevented endangering motorists on the roadway below.
“I am honored to have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant,” said Sgt. Semington. “I take pride in my community and profession and hope to serve as a role model for women and minorities with career aspirations in law enforcement. One of my goals is that we as command staff can instill work ethic in our patrol officers which will promote a better relationship between the officers and the community.”
The Galesburg Police Department has intensified efforts to increase diversity in the police force and within leadership. This conscious shift has recently resulted in the hiring of new police officers which are a closer reflection of the demographic make-up of the community, a goal the city still strives to improve further. Since January 2022, 11 of the 19 officers hired were either female, minority or both.
The Galesburg Police Department command staff ranks include sergeant, lieutenant, deputy chief, and chief. Individuals filling those leadership ranks at GPD have previously included both minorities and females; however, Sgt. Semington is the first minority female, which illustrates another milestone in breaking down barriers for women and minorities in the workplace.
A promotional ceremony will take place on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 10 AM in Council Chambers at Galesburg City Hall to officially promote Patrick Kisler to Police Lieutenant and Magdalene Semington to Police Sergeant. The public is invited and welcome to attend the promotional ceremony.
