A family tradition in law enforcement and military service has guided Patrol Officer Chris Plybon’s vocational life.
Plybon joined the Belt on Jan. 16 with 29 years of experience, including time as U.S. Army military police officer in Chicago. He also was a member of the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Department and the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital’s police force in Hines, Illinois. His father, Bernard, served in law enforcement and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Plybon grew up in the western suburbs and earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University in 1994. He later completed a master’s degree in criminal justice administration at Governors State University in 2015.
Plybon said the Belt stood out because of its leadership and opportunities for community interaction.
Outside of work, Plybon said he enjoys exercising and reading about historical topics and military subjects, as well as suspense novels by authors such as James Patterson.
Family time is paramount for Plybon and his son who recently traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for a major air show featuring historic military aircraft.
Reid contributes from his unique skill set
Patrol Officer Colin Reid joined the Belt in January after a 29-year career with the River Grove Police Department, where he served as a commander and worked extensively in forensic investigations, supporting 26 law enforcement agencies on homicide and kidnapping cases. He also served as an operations supervisor for forensic units across multiple departments.
Reid says his interest in investigations developed early, noting, “Being a police officer is a mindset.”
He said leaders recognized that he had the right temperament for homicide work, which led to increased responsibility.
Reid’s background also includes academic and teaching experience. He studied forensic science at Northwestern University, earning a certification in 2008, and later completed a master’s degree in science from Lewis University. He worked for 12 years as a professor of forensics at Governors State University, where he used a hands-on approach to learning and took students to visit morgues, medical examiner’s offices and crime labs to show them real-world environments.
For Reid, the opportunity to join the Belt aligned with a long-standing interest in railroads and an appreciation for the organization’s history.
“There’s a sense of pride in police departments, which the men and women who work at the Belt share as well. I’m glad to be part of the team,” he said.
Reid is impressed by his colleagues.
“They’re excellent and have a lot of experience,” he said. “We all have our own talents, so it’s a powerhouse of knowledge. Everyone brings something to the table.”
Outside of law enforcement, Reid has pursued creative interests, including acting and music. He recently appeared in a pilot for an Amazon Prime series as the Chicago Police Department officers who were working security for the production recommended him.
“It was great,” said Reid, who hopes to continue acting in his spare time and has previously taken on small roles as an extra.
Reid also plays guitar, drawing from a range of influences including jazz and 1970s rock. He notes he performed with a touring hair band in his youth.
