WPD Chief Foster To Retire After 33 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Foster's retirement is effective Dec. 31.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins announced Foster's retirement at the Dec. 7 Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.
Wiggins appointed Capt. Perry Hunter to serve as the department's new chief effective Jan. 1.[[In-content Ad]]Foster's love for law enforcement began at the age of 21 when he recalls riding along in a patrol car with patrolman Doug Brumfield.
"I was interested in law enforcement at a young age and ended up making it a career," Foster said.
Foster has served in several positions at the Warsaw Police Department since first being hired at the department May 1, 1974. He served as a patrolman until 1979.
After being hired as a patrolman, he enrolled in the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where he earned a law enforcement degree in 1975.
He was promoted to sergeant in 1979. He then returned to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, serving as a class counselor and breathalyzer instructor.
He graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy in 1982.
He was promoted to captain in 1984 where he oversaw payroll and the department's detective division.
He graduated from Kosciusko Leadership Academy in 1990 where he served on the board for 14 years and was appointed by Wiggins in 1999 to serve as police chief. Foster also has served as a school safety officer for Warsaw Community School Corp. for the past eight years.
Foster said there have been many physical and technological changes since he has been with the police department.
The department combined its dispatch center in 2001 at the Kosciusko County Justice Building, along with the sheriff, fire and emergency medical services dispatch center.
Another change since Foster has been employed with the police department is the police station moved from Market Street to Fort Wayne Street in 2002, Foster said. He said the current location has allowed the department to provide victims with privacy.
The department also has had technological changes over the years.
Officers used to type reports, but now have the ability to download reports on computers. The department's ability to monitor traffic has increased with speed boards and radar units, Foster said.
The department, being awarded grants from local agencies, has allowed the department to purchase bullet-proof vests and upgrade its radio system.
Some of the projects Foster has been involved with have included Ind. 15 widening, installing a traffic signal at CR 100 S and Ind. 15, and extending Logan Street.
Foster said being employed by the department has allowed him to make contacts and work with city department heads and organizations.
"There was not a day that I didn't look forward to coming to work," Foster said.
Foster said although he made the decision to retire, he will miss the people he has worked with over the years.
"Working at the police department has exposed me to meeting people who truly care about this community, and I have been blessed to work in this community," Foster said.
He has served on the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission member for more than 20 years and served as the commission's secretary for the past six years. He said he plans to continue to serve on the commission after he retires.
A retirement cake and punch reception will be Jan. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the WPD.
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Foster's retirement is effective Dec. 31.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins announced Foster's retirement at the Dec. 7 Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.
Wiggins appointed Capt. Perry Hunter to serve as the department's new chief effective Jan. 1.[[In-content Ad]]Foster's love for law enforcement began at the age of 21 when he recalls riding along in a patrol car with patrolman Doug Brumfield.
"I was interested in law enforcement at a young age and ended up making it a career," Foster said.
Foster has served in several positions at the Warsaw Police Department since first being hired at the department May 1, 1974. He served as a patrolman until 1979.
After being hired as a patrolman, he enrolled in the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where he earned a law enforcement degree in 1975.
He was promoted to sergeant in 1979. He then returned to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, serving as a class counselor and breathalyzer instructor.
He graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy in 1982.
He was promoted to captain in 1984 where he oversaw payroll and the department's detective division.
He graduated from Kosciusko Leadership Academy in 1990 where he served on the board for 14 years and was appointed by Wiggins in 1999 to serve as police chief. Foster also has served as a school safety officer for Warsaw Community School Corp. for the past eight years.
Foster said there have been many physical and technological changes since he has been with the police department.
The department combined its dispatch center in 2001 at the Kosciusko County Justice Building, along with the sheriff, fire and emergency medical services dispatch center.
Another change since Foster has been employed with the police department is the police station moved from Market Street to Fort Wayne Street in 2002, Foster said. He said the current location has allowed the department to provide victims with privacy.
The department also has had technological changes over the years.
Officers used to type reports, but now have the ability to download reports on computers. The department's ability to monitor traffic has increased with speed boards and radar units, Foster said.
The department, being awarded grants from local agencies, has allowed the department to purchase bullet-proof vests and upgrade its radio system.
Some of the projects Foster has been involved with have included Ind. 15 widening, installing a traffic signal at CR 100 S and Ind. 15, and extending Logan Street.
Foster said being employed by the department has allowed him to make contacts and work with city department heads and organizations.
"There was not a day that I didn't look forward to coming to work," Foster said.
Foster said although he made the decision to retire, he will miss the people he has worked with over the years.
"Working at the police department has exposed me to meeting people who truly care about this community, and I have been blessed to work in this community," Foster said.
He has served on the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission member for more than 20 years and served as the commission's secretary for the past six years. He said he plans to continue to serve on the commission after he retires.
A retirement cake and punch reception will be Jan. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the WPD.
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