Reasoning for Nokomis police chief resignation made public

July 10, 2026 15

NOKOMIS — The official reasoning behind the recent resignation of Nokomis Chief of Police Earin Land has now come to light.

Land’s resignation letter was made public following a FOIA request submitted by WAND News. Land resigned from his position effective July 1 after roughly six months as Chief of Police.

Land states the following in his letter:

Six months ago, I assumed the position noting multiple, severe internal issues. My goal was to stabilize and rehab the department while restoring trust within the community within a reasonable timeframe. In said time, I’ve made my best effort to correct the current situation to no avail.

I was unable to detour the years of degradation, internal strife, secret and dishonest activity and maneuvering. With over three decades experience in law enforcement, two decades in police management, I take no satisfaction in reporting that I can recommend no solution, I deem the situation too far gone and unsalvageable. I can recommend no-one within the current ranks of the department as an acting chief as the city endeavors to seek my replacement. I recommend that an external application of police services be sought to best serve the citizens of Nokomis.

Nokomis City Council acknowledges issues in special meeting

Nokomis Mayor Dylan Goldsmith noted during a special meeting of the Nokomis City Council Wednesday that the department has experienced serious issues that are no longer ignorable.

“The city has been dealing with serious internal and operational issues for almost a year,” Goldsmith said. “Those issues are affecting staffing, supervision, department morale, command and leadership, as well as the city’s ability to provide reliable law enforcement coverage.”

Two ethical issues in past year are just a small portion of the department’s ongoing issues

While Goldsmith only alluded to serious internal and operational issues over the past year, the deeper issues extend further than that. Serious infractions in violation of law enforcement ethics, as well of standards and practices, stem multiple decades.

There are two major ethical issues the police department has to answer to that remain under investigation.

The more recent issue surrounds a June 17 incident surrounding K9 Officer Nathan Brookshire. Brookshire was allegedly intoxicated while on duty at the time of an incident that took place at Casey’s General Store.

In that incident, Brookshire allegedly pulled out his Taser instead of his wallet.

Brookshire was relieved from duty for the remainder of his shift. He remains under supervisory oversight pending the conclusion of an internal review. The matter is under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Another incident surrounds the illegal dissemination of sensitive, confidential information of the department’s case files in public, reportedly in front of a sitting member of the City Council.

It is currently unknown the status of that investigation, or whether that officer is still on the force.

Police Department future in question, county deputies covering area

Goldsmith added that the department cannot operate without a police chief. Commissioner Michael Glenn proposed a motion to begin the search for a new chief, but the motion failed for failure to receive a second.

It was noted in the meeting that the department will continue operations with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. Further action is pending for its regular meeting on Monday, June 13 to determine next steps for the department.

Numerous statements from local residents note that deputies from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department have been present in Nokomis. Some of them told Heartland Newsfeed that deputies have been regularly present since the June 17 incident.

The Nokomis City Council will discuss the department’s future during its regular meeting on Monday. The official meeting venue may be subject to change between now and Monday, depending on how many people plan to speak in public comments.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.