Elgin set to get new deputy police chief

A 21-year veteran of the Elgin Police Department will be promoted to deputy chief in early June, filling a position that has been vacant since mid-March.

Cmdr. Bill Wolf and three other officers will be promoted in a ceremony at 3 p.m. June 7 in the Heritage Ballroom of The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda announced in a news release.

Lt. Dan O’Shea, who was hired in January 1999, will be promoted to commander; Sgt. Al Young, who was hired in June 1991, will be promoted to lieutenant; Detective Mark Whaley, who was hired in 2002, will be promoted to sergeant.

Former deputy chief Cecil Smith retired in March and was later hired as police chief in Sanford, Fla.

Wolf said he’s “really, really excited” about his upcoming promotion.

“It’s something I’ve worked toward for a long time. This is the third time I’ve put in for the position — so I guess it pays to keep trying.”

Wolf was hired in February 1992 and was promoted to sergeant in January 2002. He was promoted lieutenant in January 2006, and served in the patrol, special investigations and technical services division.

He was promoted to commander in March 2012, and served as the head of the investigations bureau, and currently as head of the administration bureau.

Wolf said he wants to continue the department’s goal of forming partnerships with the community.

He also wants to increase the use of technology, including finding ways to work more efficiently.

“I have a bachelor’s in computer science; I have a strong technology background,” Wolf said. “That’s a niche of mine.”