W. Dundee swears in interim police chief

Andrew Wieteska began his law enforcement career in West Dundee 12 years ago. Next month, he will take over the department's top spot when police Chief Dave Sawyer retires after almost four years at the helm.

"I know it means a lot to you (Sawyer) to get me promoted," Wieteska said Monday after being promoted to lieutenant and sworn in as interim chief. "This means a lot to me as one of your last official acts before you retire."

Wieteska's wife, Jill, and their sons Drew, 10, and Conor, 7, were on hand to pin on his lieutenant badge and bars.

A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Wieteska, 42, was hired as a patrol officer in 1998 and was promoted to sergeant in 2005. He said earning the position of chief in the village where he began his police career "means a lot."

"My heart is in this community and the police department," said Wieteska, who held a management role at a large insurance company before entering law enforcement. "They are a part of me."

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said the reasons for selecting Wieteska as interim chief were twofold.

"The reasons Sgt. Wieteska was chosen were based on interviews with the village president (Larry Keller) and Trustee Becky Gillam, and on the recommendation of the chief," Cavallaro said before the meeting. "Sgt. Wieteska possesses the best communication skills and abilities to meet the increased supervisory responsibilities of the department."

Cavallaro added that Wieteska has some big shoes to fill in Sawyer, who began his police career in West Dundee as a patrol officer 30 years ago. He took over the top post in September 2006, shortly after Ed Dennis retired.

"Through Dave's leadership, the department remains one of the best run and staffed police departments within the area," Cavallaro said. "That is a true testament of the police department and the high community standards the department has upheld."

Sawyer will end his career May 7 as the village's police chief.

"The men and women of the West Dundee police department are, I believe, the best in the Fox Valley," Sawyer said. "There is no way I could have done all the things I was able to do without them and their support."

Cavallaro said Wieteska would serve in an interim role for up to six months while the village searches for its next chief.

Interim: Chief will hand over reins May 7