Roets is new police chief
By Adam Tobias of the Daily Times staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 12:29 PM CDT
Deputy Chief Tim Roets of the Watertown Police Department has been offered the job as the city's next police chief, according to Watertown Police and Fire Commission President Steve Hepp.
Police and fire commission members conducted the last of their interviews in closed session Tuesday afternoon and offered the position to Roets shortly after they reconvened into open session.
Roets, who accepted the chief position Tuesday, still needs to pass a background check and a psychological test before he is officially given the job, Hepp said.
“We don't anticipate any problems, it's just part of the procedure,” he added.
Roets would succeed current police Chief Charles McGee, who announced his plans to retire in December 2007. McGee's last day at the police department will be Aug. 8.
Roets, who would be Watertown's 10th chief of police, beat out two other finalists: Chief Kevin Wilkinson of the New London Police Department and Lt. Tim Hanaman of the Brookfield Police Department.
“We had three excellent candidates and all three applicants interviewed very well,” Hepp said. “I can't speak for the rest of the commission, but I got the feeling that Tim's actual working knowledge of the department, the officers and the community proved him to be the best choice for the city,” Hepp said.
“Tim is a super guy,” McGee added. “He's just a good human being and I am so happy for Tim, I'm happy for his family and I'm happy for the community, because they have literally gotten a quality person to be the 10th chief of police here.”
Roets said this morning he was thrilled when he heard the news Tuesday and that he is looking forward to serving the city to the best of his abilities.
“I am very excited,” Roets said. “It will be a privilege to serve as the department's new chief. I think we have a highly professional and dedicated team of men and women who are committed to making Watertown a great place to live and raise a family, and I look forward to leading the organization in the future.”
Roets was hired by the Watertown Police Department in 1982 as a police officer. He was promoted to sergeant three years later and to lieutenant in January of 1991.
He was promoted to captain in June of 1996 and to deputy chief in May of 1999. As the deputy chief, Roets was responsible for organizing and supervising all phases and operations of the police department.
Roets has received specialized training from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations and Wisconsin Emergency Management.
Throughout his career with the Watertown Police Department, Roets has won several awards for his work. He received the Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer Award from the Watertown Jaycees in 1984 and a Lifesaving Award from the Watertown Police Department in 2006. He was named the 2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Jefferson County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association.
Roets graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha in 1981 with bachelor of science degrees in criminal justice and sociology. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 1989.
Roets, 49, has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for 22 years. They have four children: Kelsey, Lydia, Jack and Sam.
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