After 30 years with the Muskego Police Department, Chief Richard Rens is retiring from the force. In his place, Detective Stephen Westphal will serve as the chief of the department, MPD announcedThursday.
Chief Rens has served in the position for four years, and 30 years with the department. Rens previously served with the UW-Milwaukee Police Department before moving to Muskego in 1991.
Among Rens' top achievements is the construction of a $9.2 million police station, the launch of a wellness program for sworn and civilian staff at the police department and the department's re-accreditation in 2020. During his tenure Rens served as President of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association.
Last Wednesday, the city's Police and Fire Commission announced it had selected Detective Stephen Westphal as the next chief of police, who is set to start the job on April 16, when Rens retires.
Westphal has served with the police department for 16 years. He was promoted to detective in 2012, and currently works as a firearms and electronic control device instructor.
Westphal further served nearly 25 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel. He deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Westphal is an Adjunct Instructor for the Waukesha County Technical College. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master of Public, according to the police department.
