23-year township officer promoted to chief

By Michael S. Hoey

Correspondent

A Town of Delavan police officer who has worked with the department for 23 years is now its chief.

The Town of Delavan agreed to contract terms with Detective Sgt. Ray Clark to become to the new chief of police on Nov. 25. Former Chief Phill Smith retired Oct. 12.

The Police and Fire Commission recommended Clark, and the Town Board approved his contract unanimously with a starting salary of $75,000. The salary is due to increase to $80,000 on July 1. A residency requirement was also included in the agreement, though Clark already lives in the township.

“From my interactions with Chief Clark, he appears more than qualified and I look forward to working with him as the new Town of Delavan police chief,” Town Chairman Ryan Simons said.

Police and Fire Commission Chairman Connie Strepek submitted a letter in response to a request for comment:

“The task that the commission was presented with was not an easy one. On behalf of the Town of Delavan Police and Fire Commission, we would first and foremost like to acknowledge and congratulate the outstanding group of officers who were also interviewed for the position of chief.

“Each candidate presented us with their own individual qualifications accompanied by their superb records of service, and for that we commend them all. It was only after extensive research and review of all the candidates’ qualifications, combined with all the information presented to us, that we were able to reach our final decision.

“The Delavan Police and Fire Commission has concluded that Chief Clark’s qualifications embodied a balance of integrity and strengths that we believe have earned him the respect needed to successfully manage and operate the Town of Delavan Police Department. Chief Clark has been an officer with the Town of Delavan Police Department for 23 years and a supervisor with the department for 13 years. His experience with many different aspects of the department has allowed him the insight, interpersonal skills, and the communication skills that we believe will greatly benefit the Town of Delavan Police Department.

“The commission also believes that under the leadership of Chief Clark, our police officers as well as the citizens of this township can be assured that the highest standards of law enforcement will be upheld. At this time the commission would like to publicly extend its congratulations to Chief Clark on his official role with the Town of Delavan Police Department.”

Clark began serving as chief Nov. 26 and will be officially sworn in at the Dec. 16 board meeting. Clark received his associate degree in police science from Gateway Technical College and his bachelor’s degree in criminal science from Upper Iowa University.

Clark began his law enforcement career with the township in 1991 as an officer and was promoted to sergeant in 2001. He was also named coordinator of the field training program in 1996 and is an instructor at Gateway Technical College. Clark is also a member of the Hostage Negotiator Association and is a negotiator on the Walworth County SWAT team.

“It is something I have always strived for,” Clark, 44, said of applying to be chief. “Every officer should want that.”

Clark is originally from Los Angeles and later moved to Wisconsin where he graduated from Kenosha Bradford High School.

Clark said he does not plan on making any radical changes at the department.

“I want to keep doing what Chief Smith did,” he said. “He did a good job and I want to follow in his footsteps.”

One area Clark said he would like to expand the department’s role is in community policing. He wants the department to get more involved in community events, educating the community, and working with the community on things like Neighborhood Watch programs or safety fairs.

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Clark summed up his leadership style and philosophy as “fair.”

“Everybody should do the job and do it well,” he said. “I will be fair to the officers.”

Clark said his personnel is the biggest strength of the department.

“We have good officers doing good jobs that are trained in multiple ways,” he said, pointing out many of them are instructors at Gateway and other institutions.

“I think I can do well with such a good group of officers,” he said.

“I think that the Town of Delavan Police and Fire Commission made an inspired decision when they chose Detective Sgt. Raymond Clark to serve as the next Chief of the Town of Delavan Police Department,” Smith said.

“I have worked with Chief Clark for many years and have always known him to care deeply about the Town of Delavan and its citizens,” he said. “I believe that he will be a great chief.”