Police chief retires from Twin Lakes department
By Bethe Croy
Staff Writer
Former Police Chief Dale Racer officially retired July 6 after serving nearly nine years in the Village of Twin Lakes.
“It’s the people that I’m going to miss,” Racer said.
His favorite part about working in the village was the people he worked with, such as the Village Board and Police Commission members, among others, he said.
The village was quite a change for Racer, who came in from the Milwaukee Police Department as a supervisor for a SWAT unit.
There, his team was always on the go, and there was always something happening, he said.
“It took me a year or so just to get acclimated to the way of life here,” Racer said.
He considered working for the village to be a nice break, he said.
With the closeness of the village police department, however, Racer has also faced a challenge that was different from when he was in Milwaukee: the loss of three off-duty officers over the course of the past several years.
“Those were very trying times for everyone here,” he said. “When you lose someone that close, it’s very hard; we’re like family here.
“Leading the department through that and staying strong has been my biggest challenge.”
In his career overall, Racer experienced many different things, some of which were difficult for him to believe.
“You’re amazed at some of the stupid things people say and do,” Racer said. “Nothing surprises me anymore.”
Now that he has retired, Racer plans to do some traveling, starting with a trip to Florida to “decompress.”
He also said his daughter is getting married in August.
After that, he is considering doing some volunteer work, but he’s not sure what he will do just yet.
New Police Chief Adam Grosz took Racer’s place, and Racer believes Grosz will do very well.
“I’m very comfortable leaving him in charge,” Racer said. “I think he’s going to lead this department forward.”
Racer said Grosz is laid-back like himself, and he’s very excited on Grosz’s behalf. He also said Grosz’s past experience is helpful as he comes into this position.
Racer still intends to visit the village, and he said some of the guys in the police department plan to take him fishing.
As for the village residents, Racer encouraged cooperation and respect for village officials.
“Just continue to support the police department and the Village Board,” he said. “It makes our job a lot easier.”