Wheaton promotes deputy to police chief

Wheaton Deputy Police Chief Bill Murphy soon will become the city's top cop, officials said Tuesday.

City Manager Mike Dzugan said he is appointing the nearly 30-year department veteran to succeed Chief Jim Volpe, who is retiring after almost three years as chief and 35 years with the department.

Volpe is starting a new job as director of the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage in neighboring Glen Ellyn. Volpe's last day in Wheaton will be June 24.

Murphy joined the department in 1990. He has worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, detective, officer-in-charge, sergeant and lieutenant before becoming deputy chief of support, a role that often has him serving as the department's media spokesman.

"Deputy Chief Murphy's vast experience and commitment to the City of Wheaton will allow him to efficiently and effectively lead the department while continuing to keep our community one of the safest in the nation," Dzugan said in a news release.

Murphy holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice management from Aurora University and a master's degree in public safety administration from Lewis University.

He will be sworn-in as Wheaton's 12th police chief during a city council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2.