December 15, 2021 – West Bend, WI – An announcement will be made later this morning regarding a new police chief for the City of West Bend. The Police and Fire Commission meets at 8 a.m. at City Hall. After running through 14 items on the agenda the commission will adjourn into closed session to make its decision. The appointment of a new chief will be announced after the commission reconvenes. The new police chief will start January 8, 2022.
An internal search was conducted and there are two finalists for West Bend Police Chief: Captain Tim Dehring and Lt. Matt Rohlinger.
Dehring began his 26-year career at the WBPD on April 9, 1995.
Dehring was promoted to detective in April 2004, to lieutenant in May 2007, he transferred from patrol to criminal investigations in February 2011 and was promoted to captain in January 2013.
Dehring is currently a Police Captain and his salary according to human resources is $104,676.75.
Dehring has a Master of Science degree from Cardinal Stritch University in business management and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and government from UW-Stevens Point.
Lt. Matt Rohlinger has been with the West Bend PD since he was a police explorer in 1996.
Rohlinger started as an officer with the WBPD in January 2002. He was promoted to sergeant in 2008 and lieutenant in 2016.
Rohlinger has been active with the Fraternal Order of Police as that organization has taken over the annual Shop with a Cop event and since 2008 he’s helped lead the Police Unity Tour. Rohlinger also started the West Bend Police Department Honor Guard in 2009.
The Police and Fire Commission required the two finalists to turn in an essay; both were submitted December 9, 2021. Rohlinger said the essay topic was about management style and experience.