Broken Arrow's Police Chief Announces He Will Retire In 2011

NewsOn6.com

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- Broken Arrow Police Chief Todd Wuestewald announced Wednesday he is planning to retire July 7, 2011.

In news release, Wuestewald is a 29-year veteran of the department who was promoted through the ranks to Chief of Police, a position he has held since July 2003.

"The City and the Police Department have been my extended family for 29-years," Todd Wuestewald said. It will be hard to leave, but there are things I still want to do."

City Manager Dave Wooden said Wuestewald retiring will be a loss to the city.

To assist the city of Broken Arrow, Wuestewald has agreed to aid in the selection of his replacement and assure a smooth transition through an extended overlap period with the new Chief of Police.

"Todd is highly respected throughout the United States and overseas," Mayor Mike Lester said. "His leadership style is second to none. He is truly among our city's finest leaders."

Wuestewald said he will miss the BAPD, but looks forward to the future.

"I always thought it would be a nice legacy if you could say that your leadership had become irrelevant because of all the leaders around you," Wuestewald said. "Today, I can happily say that I am irrelevant. The BAPD is filled with leaders who have built a healthy, highly professional police department with a national reputation for excellence and innovation. I'm very proud of them and of what they will accomplish in the future."

Wuestewald also served as a Tulsa police officer prior to moving to Broken Arrow.