Wilk Named City Police Chief

St. Ignace Police Sergeant Mark Wilk was hired as the city's new police chief Monday, February 1. He has worked at the department since 1987. Citizens of St. Ignace have a new city police chief in Mark Wilk, following a 5-2 vote by the St. Ignace City Council Monday, February 1. Council members, who narrowed their search to four candidates Monday, January 18, from the 34 initial applicants, made the decision to hire Mr. Wilk, who took over as acting chief after Tim Matelski's retirement December 31. He has been a sergeant on the force and will continue as acting chief until a contract is signed.

Mr. Wilk is also the area manager for Allied EMS ambulance service and will continue in that role, working no more than 15 hours a week on that job, but will no longer work regularly scheduled ambulance shifts as a paramedic. Mr. Wilk has worked with Allied EMS since 1984 and has worked for the St. Ignace Police Department since 1987.

Aldermen Jim Clapperton, Don Gustafson, Willie LaLonde, Merv Wyse, and Mayor Paul Grondin voted to hire Mr. Wilk, while Aldermen Tom Della-Moretta and Paul Fullerton voted against the motion.

Mr. Della-Moretta said Mr. Wilk was a strong candidate, but he feels making him police chief will compromise the ambulance service.

"That was my concern from the get-go," he said. "We just got a new chief of police and weakened the ambulance corps."

Mr. Fullerton said he feels it will be impossible for Mr. Wilk be both a police chief and ambulance coordinator, plus maintain a sideline job installing electronic equipment in police vehicles around the area.

"I was just trying to do what is best for the city," he said. "Given the time constraints, I don't know how he can do it all."

As with Mr. Matelski, the city will stipulate in Mr. Wilk's contract that he can work no more than 15 hours a week in all other outside jobs.

Mayor Grondin noted that Mr. Wilk made clear in his interview that he would choose the police chief position over ambulance coordinator, if required to, and feels confident Mr. Wilk will give 100% as the city's chief of police.

Mr. LaLonde, who nominated Mr. Wilk for the post, said he had similar concerns to those of Mr. Fullerton and Mr. Della-Moretta, but is satisfied by Mr. Wilk's answers during his interview.

"He said there are other people at Allied that can do what he is doing just as well," he said.

Mr. Gustafson said dissension among council members is an indication that the city had an excellent pool of interview candidates.

"I think we have had a couple good choices," he said. "I think it is very clear to Mr. Wilk what the council sees as a priority for this job."

The other two candidates considered were East Jordan Police Chief Daniel Reece and Gaylord Police Chief Joseph Fitzgerald. Former Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Police Chief Fred Paquin was among the final four candidates, but was removed from consideration following a federal indictment two weeks ago.

After the meeting, Mr. Wilk said he was very excited to officially take over as the city's police chief.

"In the meeting, I wanted to jump up and down inside, but I kept my cool," he said. "I have always enjoyed working for the city and the residents here. I'm excited and thrilled to get the job."

City residents will see some, but not many changes in the department, he said.

"We have been trying to do some things in the department," he said.

The officers have been very receptive to that."

As acting chief, Mr. Wilk took over Mr. Matelski's 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift, which is part administrative work and part road patrol. He said he doesn't know if this or other shifts at the department will change.

The administration of the ambulance service will not add up to 15 hours in any given week, Mr. Wilk said, and he does not anticipate that job being in conflict with his new position as police chief. He has also been working two 12-hour shifts as a paramedic , something he agreed he would no longer be able to do as police chief.

"I do have great staff in both agencies, and without them I couldn't do this," Mr. Wilk said. "A couple people at Allied have expressed they would be willing to take over those shifts. The police and ambulance work so closely together, I think it will work out just fine."

City Manager Eric Dodson said he is also excited to continue working with Mr. Wilk.

Council members asked Mr. Dodson to discuss the specifics of an employment contract with Mr. Wilk and bring the full contract to the next council meeting for review.