After nearly 25 years in policing, including 18 with the Keller Police Department, Chief Michael Wilson has announced his retirement effective Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the communities of Keller and Westlake for the past 18 years,” Wilson said. “The lessons and experiences I’ve had in my time here have positioned me well to close this chapter of my life and open a new one as I pursue my next professional goal of building a business from the ground up.”
Wilson joined Keller PD in 2001 and rose through the ranks from an officer to a corporal, sergeant, then lieutenant by 2010. His title changed to captain in 2013 when the department’s lieutenants’ classifications were upgraded to reflect their duties, and he was selected as the new chief in 2015. Under his leadership, Keller PD has maintained its reputation as a trailblazer in community policing, from investments in technology and taking data-driven approaches to reducing crime, to advancing the department’s relationships with public and private partners.
His tenure saw the national re-accreditation of the police department at the highest standard awarded both in 2015 and 2018; rollout of the SirenGPS emergency dispatching and mass notification system in 2016; and in 2018, a full department restructure, body cameras, and the first national accreditation awarded to a regional 911 communications center in the state of Texas.
Regional partnerships were renewed with the Town of Westlake, the cities of Colleyville and Southlake, and with the Humane Society of North Texas to continue managing the Regional Animal Adoption Center. He was also integral to the development of Keller ISD’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety track at the Keller Center for Advanced Learning, where he served on the advisory board and as its president.
During his time as the police chief of Westlake, he worked with elected officials to establish the substation on the Academy campus, has continually evaluated our needs based on calls for service, partnered with our staff teams to create a community-focused policing environment, worked with our corporate stakeholders to promote safety on their campuses and been an integral partner in maintaining our unique service delivery option through our contract for police services.
“Chief Wilson has worked tirelessly with the community of Westlake to provide personalized, accessible services for our stakeholders and been a supporter of our needs on the Academy campus,” Town Manager Amanda DeGan said. “He will be missed in Westlake and we wish him all the best in his new endeavor.”
In the coming weeks, the city of Keller will work to select a person to handle interim leadership for the department. Members of the police department, Keller residents, the City Council, and a representative from our community will participate in the selection process for the next chief, DeGan said.
“I leave the City of Keller with a heavy heart, but I am excited about the opportunity that awaits me,” Wilson said. “We have built an incredible team and I am confident the Keller Police Department will weather this transition well.”