New Aurora police chief Matt Thomas has his star pinned on during his swearing-in ceremony in May. Courtesy of city of Aurora

When Matt Thomas started his career as a police officer in the late 1990s, he wanted to be on the streets.

“I always wanted to be a detective. I did not see myself sitting behind a desk,” Thomas said.

But that’s where he finds himself today. Thomas was sworn last month as Aurora’s new police chief and now leads a department that serves and protects Illinois’ second-largest city.

It’s the pinnacle of a 28-year career that started when he decided to take a pass on law school and join the Park Ridge Police Department.

Thomas said his four years in Park Ridge were good experience, but there wasn’t much opportunity to investigate major cases. So when a friend at th

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