The village board has appointed a new police chief to serve on the Round Lake Beach Police Department following the retirement of Chief Wayne Wilde.
The Village of Round Lake Beach appointed Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez as the department’s new police chief.
Rodriguez was sworn in during the village board’s monthly meeting on Monday.
Rodriguez, a 25-year veteran of the department, began his career in 2000 as a community service officer before becoming a sworn police officer in 2002.
He has risen through the ranks, serving as a field training supervisor starting in 2012, patrol commander in 2017, investigations commander in 2020 and most recently deputy chief in 2022.
“I am humbled by this opportunity that Mayor (Scott) Nickles and the Village Board have entrusted me with,” Rodriguez said.
“Round Lake Beach has been a central part of who I am for more than half of my life, and I’m proud to serve as its chief,” Rodriguez said.
He has served as a special operations warrant service team member, bicycle officer, evidence technician, gang specialist, juvenile officer, sexual assault investigator and accreditation manager.
Rodriguez has also served on the police pension board, including a term as president, and has led officer development training within the department.
Rodriguez is a three-time recipient of the Round Lake Beach Life Saving Award and has received multiple DUI enforcement awards from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM).
He graduated from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the ILETSB “Police Executive Role in the 21st Century” program.
Rodriguez also holds a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration and public policy.
“I have witnessed great changes over the years in our community, and I look forward to continuing the path retired Chief (Wayne) Wilde has led us on,” Rodriguez said.
“I aim to further strengthen our department’s partnership with the community as we move forward together,” he added.
Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles said the village is excited to have Rodriguez at the helm of the police department.
“Ryan is a true homegrown talent who has served in nearly every aspect of policing in Round Lake Beach. His experience is unmatched, his commitment to the community is unwavering, and he’s an outstanding person. We’re confident the department is in great hands,” Nickles said.
Rodriguez succeeds former Police Chief Wayne Wilde, who retired from the department on April 17.