Mahomet police chief to retire this fall

MAHOMET, Ill. (WAND) — Mahomet Police Chief Michael Metzler announced his plans to retire in September.

The chief has served the Mahomet Police Department since September 2011, and has been a law enforcement officer for 46 years.

During his tenure, Metzler focused on staffing and technology. According to the release, Mahomet was the only department in Champaign County to adopt an integrated system for electronic citations and accident reports.

A new METCAD tower was also built in Mahomet during Metzler's time in the position.

Village Administrator Patrick Brown said the chief was the right person to help navigate the growth and challenges the community was facing.

“The department was at a crossroad and needed to transition from the mindset of a very small department to one that embraced new technology, enhanced training, and could meet the ever-changing needs of the community,” said Brown. “When Mike took over in 2001 the department had 7 sworn officers including the chief and grew to fifteen sworn officers today, all while working for four different Village Presidents and two different Village Administrators.”

Metzler, a native of Sterling, began his career with the Urbana Police Department in 1979. He serves as the president of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Board of Directors and holds a seat on the METCAD Policy Board.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to have served the Mahomet community, the village board, and the men and women of the Mahomet Police Department over these past 14 years,” said Metzler. “The level of support we have received from the Board of Trustees, Village President, Village Administration, and the people of Mahomet has been overwhelming and humbling. I am very proud of the staff we have assembled over the years. I will miss all of them.”

The village has already started the search for a new police chief.