By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Town of Delavan Police Chief Ray Clark will retire in January. The Town Board began the process of replacing him on July 16.
The board approved a list of qualifications for the next chief. Candidates will have to submit to a background check, drug screening, medical exam, oral interviews, and a psychological examination.
According to the list, the new chief should be able to handle several tasks simultaneously, react quickly and effectively to stressful situations, perform essential functions of the position, create and maintain a budget, possess a firearm, use all standard law enforcement equipment, and work evenings, weekends, and holidays when needed.
The new chief should have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, possess Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board Certification, a minimum of eight years of law enforcement experience, at least two years of law enforcement supervisory experience, at least an associate’s degree in criminal justice or related field, training, in courses of law enforcement supervision and management, experience in emergency management operations, and a clean criminal record.
“Chief Clark is the consummate professional and has led a strong and respected law enforcement department for the Town of Delavan,” Town Chairman Mary Knipper said after the meeting.
“Although we will miss his leadership, I have no doubt that his successor will carry on and maintain the legacy that Ray has established,” she added. “The community wished the chief a rewarding and well-deserved retirement.”
Clark was promoted to Chief of Police in December of 2014. He started with the town in May of 1991 as a marine unit officer. Clark was promoted to part-time road officer in June of 1991. In April of 1993, Clark was hired as a full-time officer and was promoted to sergeant in March of 2001. He served as a Patrol Sergeant until he was promoted to Detective Sergeant in April of 2008.
In his time with the town, Clark has served as a Field Training Officer, the lead Firearms Instructor, and the Training Coordinator. He has also been a member of the Walworth County Metro Gang Unit, the Walworth County Metro Drug Unit, the Walworth County Metro Sensitive Crimes Response Team, and a negotiator on the county’s SWAT team.
Clark said that after 33 years of law enforcement, he just decided it was the right time to retire.
“While I still love this career, I believe that it is time for me to spend more time with my family,” he said. “I think a good ‘shelf-life’ for a Chief of Police is about ten years.”
Editor’s note: For the full story, please see the print edition of the Delavan Enterprise.
