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WHEATON – The city of Wheaton wasted no time selecting the replacement for its retiring police chief.
City Manager Don Rose announced in a Nov. 3 news release that longtime Wheaton cop and Division Cmdr. James F. Volpe will take the reins of the Wheaton Police Department, effective Nov. 9.
The announcement comes days before the final day in office for current Chief Mark Field, who will retire at the end of the week after 24 years on the Wheaton force.
When Field announced his retirement in October, Rose said he believed the ideal candidate would be internal – an apt description for Volpe, who has served at the department since 1983.
In his time in Wheaton, Volpe has been a patrol officer, shift commander/sergeant and watch commander/lieutenant, as well as a member of the commander for the Special Weapons and Tactics team.
He received a bachelor's degree in education from Illinois State University in 1980 and a law degree from DePaul University Law School in 1992.
He also has served as an instructor for the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy in physical training, defensive tactics and legal education and as an adjunct instructor at Northwest Multi-Regional Training in the use of force and physical fitness and wellness.
Volpe's compensation will be $144,000 per year. He will be sworn in at a ceremony at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Council Chambers of Wheaton City Hall at 303 W. Wesley St.