Swansea police chief announces retirement; board advances hires and personnel items

Swansea’s police chief announced at the March board meeting that he intends to retire in January 2027 and used his remarks to outline department accomplishments and endorse Deputy Chief Keith Howard as a capable successor.

In a detailed statement, the chief reflected on his career, highlighted accreditation and staffing improvements and praised several administrators and department leaders. He urged respectful public dialogue and said the department would continue to provide professional service to the community.

The personnel committee and board then advanced several personnel items. The board voted to forward a recommendation to hire a paid‑on‑call firefighter, Kelly Volsberg; members completed a roll‑call vote and the motion carried. The board also agreed to forward a full‑time appointment for Michael Doi as public works director with a proposed starting salary of $125,000 and additional staged increases tied to degree completion and tenure.

Trustees also approved a travel request for Dan Thomas to attend the Illinois Tax Increment Association spring conference (estimated cost not to exceed $900). Several trustees and the mayor praised the outgoing chief and noted plans for transition and recruitment as his retirement approaches. No final employment contracts were signed at the meeting; the items were forwarded to the board for formal approval and inclusion in upcoming budget work.

Roll‑call tallies were recorded for the personnel items; the motions to forward the hires and the travel request passed during committee and were carried in subsequent board action.