Wetzel Named Casper Chief of Police

The city of Casper has named its new police chief.

City manager John Patterson promoted Casper Police Department Sgt. Jim Wetzel to the position during a press conference on Friday.

Wetzel says he looks forward to the opportunity.

“I have ascended from a sergeant at the police department over in the detective and investigations section, to chief of police, which is a little bit unprecedented,” Wetzel said. “But, I have a very unconventional, kind of, dual career path between the military and the police department.”

Wetzel, a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, has been with CPD for 15 years. He replaces Chris Walsh, who retired on Feb. 7 after over 23 years with the force.

Patterson says Wetzel will take over a chief of police immediately.