The Urbana Police Division has promoted longtime officer K. Jason Kizer to the rank of lieutenant.
The following information is from a press release issued by the Urbana Police Division:
“Longtime Urbana Police Officer K. Jason Kizer was recently promoted to the position of Lieutenant with the Urbana Police Division.
Urbana Director of Administration Spencer Mitchell promoted Kizer to his new assignment on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Kizer was sworn in by Champaign County Municipal Court Judge Gregory L. Harvey during a ceremony on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, attended by his family and fellow officers.
A 2002 graduate of Graham High School, Kizer began his career with the Urbana Police Division in 2006 as a road patrol officer. In 2017, he was promoted to sergeant and supervised officers on patrol.
In 2023, Kizer was assigned to the division’s Criminal Investigation Unit, where he investigated and supervised major cases involving drugs, thefts, sexual assaults and other serious crimes.
As police lieutenant, Kizer will oversee the division’s daily operations and directly supervise patrol sergeants. He will also help implement major projects and programs, assist the chief with budgeting and administrative duties, and serve as second-in-command in the chief’s absence.
Police Chief Josh Jacobs praised Kizer’s leadership and dedication to the department.
‘Jason is such a natural leader of the Urbana Police Division,’ Jacobs said. ‘Jason is a great person who really takes pride in serving the City of Urbana. He is experienced in all types of investigations and really knows how to lead from the front. He is someone who really understands the Urbana Police Division’s community approach on policing. The Urbana Police Division is lucky to have a guy like Jason representing us.’
During the swearing-in ceremony, Kizer thanked his family, mentors, fellow officers and community members for their support throughout his law enforcement career.
‘Your belief in me, your wisdom, and your unwavering support have helped shape the person and leader I am today,’ Kizer said.
The promotion creates a vacancy for a sergeant within the Urbana Police Division. Jacobs said he hopes to have the position filled by November.”
