Chris Singleton, an eight-year veteran of the Caseyville Police Department, has been chosen as the next chief of police of Marine, Ill.

New Marine Police Chief Chris Singleton and is partner, Paco / Submitted photo

Singleton and his canine partner Paco were often praised in Caseyville for their frequent drug seizures as part of their assignment to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Singleton brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Caseyville Police Department during the two years he was assigned to the DEA, including an estimated $160,000 in 2014 alone.

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly praised Singleton’s work.

“Chris did a great job for the people of St. Clair County and the DEA, and will be a great asset to the people of Marine,” Kelly said.

Paco will make the move to the Marine Police Department with Singleton, something that was a selling point for Mayor John Molitor.

“His DEA experience and having the canine were all pluses for the community,” Molitor said.

While Singleton seeks grant money to equip his squad car for Paco, his partner will accompany him to the office and will assist with community relations.

Singleton, 34, will replace Perry Friddle, whose retirement Wednesday will wrap up 50 years of law enforcement. A great community and a great opportunity to advance his career attracted him to the job in the Madison County town of about 1,000 residents, Singleton said.

A 1999 Granite City High School graduate, Singleton began his career in law enforcement at Southwestern Illinois College. He joined the Caseyville police department as a patrol officer in 2006 and became a canine officer in 2009. Singleton was assigned to the DEA on July 1, 2012.

In Marine, Singleton will lead a department that includes a lieutenant and five part-time officers. He began working with the department on Sept. 17, training under Friddle, who will retire Wednesday.

“I’m very pleased with the way things have gone so far,” Molitor said.

Singleton will be sworn in as the chief of police Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.

Another benefit of the new position is its proximity to Millie’s Diner. Singleton and his wife, Stephanie, are looking forward to spending more time at the Marine institution. Their 1-year-old daughter, Kailani is too young to enjoy the diner, but Singleton sounded confident she will one day enjoy it as much as he does.

“The food is just amazing,” Singleton said.