Full Notification

The Janesville Police Department announces the promotions of Deputy Chief Chad Pearson, Lieutenant Jennifer Wehmas, Sergeant Thomas Northrop, Sergeant Nicholas Drout and Sergeant Shawn Welte.
 
Lieutenant Chad A. Pearson was promoted to Deputy Chief effective January 4, 2022. Deputy Chief Pearson is a 24-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department, 10 years as a sergeant and 2 years as a lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. He is a graduate of the WI Command College as well as the FBI National Academy. Deputy Chief Pearson has experience in the following areas; Investigations Lieutenant, Field Training Coordinator, Street Crimes Unit, High Risk Offender Team, Patrol Sergeant, Domestic Violence Intervention Team, Drug Endangered Children project, Mentoring Program.
 
On December 28, 2021, the City of Janesville Police and Fire Commission approved the promotions of Sergeant Jennifer K. Wehmas to Lieutenant and Officer Thomas J. Northrop, Officer Nicholas J. Drout, and  Officer Shawn D. Welte to Sergeant with effective dates to be determined as staffing allows.
 
Sergeant Jennifer K. Wehmas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Wehmas is a 15-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Lieutenant Wehmas has experience in the following areas: Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Unit Officer, Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Fourth Ward Committee, African American Liaison Action Committee, Small Neighborhood Groups, Police Explorer Post 500 Program Supervisor, Law Enforcement Academy Instructor.
 
Officer Thomas J. Northrop was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Northrop is a nine-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Sergeant Northrop has experience in the following areas: Patrol Officer, Chronic Nuisance Premises Team, Police Explorer Post 500 Advisor, Mobile Field Force Team, SWAT Team, Bike Officer, Field Training Officer.
 
Officer Nicholas J. Drout was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Drout is a 16-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department. He holds an associate degree from the Milwaukee Area Technical College. Sergeant Drout has experience in the following areas: Patrol Officer, Domestic Violence Intervention Team, Honor Guard, Field Training Officer, Mentor, Peer Support Team, Dynamic Policy and Training Group.
 
Officer Shawn D. Welte was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Welte is a 22-year veteran of the Janesville Police Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Sergeant Northrop has experience in the following areas: Patrol Officer, Bike Officer, Crisis Intervention Team, Domestic Violence Intervention Team, Homeless Outreach Team.
 
Deputy Chief Chad Pearson, Lieutenant Jennifer Wehmas, Sergeant Thomas Northrop, Sergeant Nicholas Drout and Sergeant Shawn Welte were honored in a promotion ceremony at City Hall on January 14, 2022.