Sarah Raymond

Sarah Raymond graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice from Olivet Nazarene University and a MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She began her career in law enforcement with the Peru Police Department in 2004. Sarah was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2009, Patrol Commander in 2017, Deputy Chief of Police in 2021, and appointed to Chief of Police in 2022. She is a certified child forensic sex assault interviewer and has conducted over 1,000 sex assault interviews with children in her career.  She received the Officer of the Year Award from the Illinois Valley Association of Chiefs of Police in 2008 as well as the Medal of Valor from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police that same year. Sarah attended and graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2019, where she was the recipient of the Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award from class #452.  In 2023 Sarah was recruited to attend the FBI’s National Command Course, which she completed that same year.

Currently, Sarah instructs criminal justice courses at the Illinois Valley Community College and also instructs at the Sauk Valley Community College Police Academy. She is involved in various community projects throughout Peru and has started 2 separate 501 c 3 not for profit organizations.  She was the recipient of the Community Connector Award from the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2024.

Sarah has been an instructor for the past 10 years in various areas of law enforcement.  She has spoken at women’s criminal justice conferences and looks to enhance other police officer’s knowledge through her training and experience. She strives to help law enforcement officers grow in their confidence and understanding, while helping enhance the field for the next generation to come.