Far north suburban police chief retires after nearly 30 years on the job
ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. (WGN) — Round Lake Beach Police Chief Wayne Wilde announced his retirement Wednesday afternoon.
Wilde, who has been with the Round Lake Beach Police Department for 28 years, said it has been his 'greatest honor to serve this outstanding community.'
His retirement will become official April 17.
'I would like to thank the men and women of the Round Lake Beach Police Department for their hard work and dedication, and to the RL Fire Protection District and CenCom E911 telecommunicators, who together as a team, keep the citizens we serve safe,' Wilde said.
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He was hired in 1997 as a patrol officer before being promoted to sergeant in October 2007. He was promoted to commander in October 2014 before being named Deputy Chief in December 2016.
Six years later, Wilde was named chief of police after former chief Gil Rivera retired in July 2022.
'We are deeply grateful to Wayne for his many years of dedicated service to the Village of Round Lake Beach,' Mayor Scott Nickles said. 'He's been an outstanding officer, commander, and chief. His expertise, dedication, leadership, and incredible personality will be greatly missed at Village Hall. We wish him all the best in whatever path he chooses next.'
Throughout his service, Wilde was tapped to serve as the department's Field Training Officer, Baton and O.C. Spray Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Bicycle Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor, Gang Officer, Juvenile Officer, served as the Law Enforcement Liaison with the Lake County Health Department 'A Way Out' program and as a member of the Warrant Service Team.
He has also served as a Field Training Supervisor, Dash Camera/Body Camera Coordinator, Investigations Commander, Patrol Commander, and Police Fleet Manager.
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Wilde is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in 2010, Police Executive Role in the 21st Century in 2015, FBI National Academy in 2017, and has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Winona State University (MN).
'I'd like to issue a special thank you to my wife and children, who understood the sacrifices I had to make throughout my career; I could not have done this job for this long without their love and support,' Wilde said. 'I have many fond memories of Round Lake Beach, but my fondest memory is getting to experience and be a part of the growing bond between our community and the police department throughout the years.'
Round Lake Beach Police will swear in a new police chief at the April 21 board meeting.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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