Racine Police Department Promotions 
<p>Chief of Police Arthel Howell would like to announce the recent promotions of nine members of the department. Promoted are:</p>
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<p>Charles Weitzel from Lieutenant to Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief Charles Weitzel is a 32 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. He served 9 years in Patrol before being appointed as the Crime Prevention Officer in 1994. In 1997 Deputy Chief Weitzel returned to Patrol until he was appointed as the Training Officer and Range Master in 2001. In 2005 Deputy Chief Weitzel was promoted to Sergeant. As a sergeant Deputy Chief Weitzel served in the Training Section, Patrol Division and Investigative Divisions. On March 13, 2013 Deputy Chief Weitzel was promoted to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant he served in Planning, General Investigations and Internal Affairs. Deputy Chief Weitzel will be commanding the Professional Standards Division.</p>
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<p>Aldred Days from Lieutenant to Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief Al Days is a 27 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. He served 11 years in the Patrol Division. As a Patrol Officer, Deputy Chief Days served as a DARE Officer, COP House Officer at 12th & Highland, and helped implement the Regency Mall Information Center. Deputy Chief Days also worked as an officer in Gang Crimes Investigations, before being promoted to Sergeant in 2000. As Sergeant, Deputy Chief Days worked in Patrol as a 4th Shift Supervisor, and served as the Public Information Officer/Planning-Research Sergeant. In 2002 Deputy Chief Days was promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant. Over the next 14 years he served as the commander of Operations, 3rd Shift Patrol, Training and Recruitment, Community Policing, and Public Information and Community Engagement. Deputy Chief Days will be commanding the School Safety and Security Division.</p>
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<p>Rick Toeller from Sergeant to Lieutenant. Lieutenant Rick Toeller is a 19 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. As a 2nd Shift Patrol Officer, Lieutenant Toeller served as a Field Training Officer. He also was appointed to the Crisis Negotiations Team. In 2005 Lieutenant Toeller was promoted to Sergeant and served as a Sergeant of Patrol for a year on 3rd Shift before he returned to supervise 2nd Shift where he remained until 2013 when he was assigned as the Day Shift Investigations Sergeant. Lieutenant Toeller has served the past several years as the Commander of the Crisis Negotiations Team and also serves in the Recruitment Group as well as the Mountain Bike Program. Lieutenant Toeller will be assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit. </p>
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<p>Rob Thillemann from Patrol Officer to Sergeant. Sergeant Thillemann is a 10 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Sergeant Thillemann was a member of Patrol until 2011 when he was transferred to the Training Officer Position. In January 2015 Sergeant Thillemann transferred to the C.O.P. Unit. Sergeant Thillemann has served the Department as a member of the Honor Guard and an Evidence Technician while in Patrol. Sergeant Thillemann is currently an instructor in Firearms, Vehicle Contacts and EVOC along with several other disciplines. He is a current member of the SWAT team. Sergeant Thillemann will be assigned to the 1st shift Patrol Division.</p>
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<p>Hanns Freidel from Investigator to Sergeant. Sergeant Freidel is a 14 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Sergeant Freidel was a member of Patrol for ten years until he was promoted to Investigator in 2012. Sergeant Freidel has served the Department as a member of the COP Unit, SWAT, Special Investigations Unit, Recruitment Team and Mountain Bike Program. Sergeant Freidel will be assigned to the 3rd Shift Patrol Division.</p>
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<p>Nick Contreras from Patrol Officer to Investigator. Investigator Contreras is a 9 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Investigator Contreras has been a member of 2nd Shift Patrol and the Community Oriented Policing Unit. Investigator Contreras serves the Department as an Evidence Technician. He is on the Uniform, Plainclothes, and Equipment Committee, Recruitment Team, Crowd Control Team, and Mountain Bike Program. Investigator Contreras will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit.</p>
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<p>Josh Laforge from Patrol Officer to Investigator. Investigator LaForge is an 11 veteran of the Racine Police Department. Investigator LaForge was a member of Patrol for nine years before being promoted to Traffic Investigator in 2014. He has served the Department as Evidence Technician, Recruitment Team member, Field Training Officer, and Motor Officer. Investigator Laforge will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit.</p>
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<p>Sarah Zupke from Patrol Officer to Investigator. Investigator Sarah Zupke is an 8 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Investigator Zupke was assigned to 2nd Shift Patrol until January of 2015 when she was transferred to the C.O.P Unit where she was assigned as the Styberg COP House Officer. As a member of the Racine Police Department, Investigator Zupke has served as an Evidence Technician, a mentor for the Police PALS program, and on the Honor Guard. Investigator Zupke will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit. </p>
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<p>Kellen Gullifor from Patrol Officer to Traffic Investigator. Traffic Investigator Gullifor is a 6 year veteran of the Racine Police Department. Traffic Investigator Gullifor has spent the past six years in Patrol. Traffic Investigator Gullifor has served the Department as an Evidence Technician. Traffic Investigator Gullifor will be assigned to the Traffic Investigations Unit.</p>
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<p>Please “Like” the Racine Police Department Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @RacinePD.</p>
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<p>All media inquiries regarding this incident should be directed to my attention at (262) 635-7772.</p>
Address/Location
Racine, WI Police Department
730 Center St
Racine, WI 53403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 262-635-7700