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Support Services Division

Contact: Commander Theresa Wisnewski
Email: twisnewski@wheelingil.gov

Law Enforcement Accreditation

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), was formed in 1979 to establish a body of standards designed to:

• Increase Law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime.

• Increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services.

• Increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and with other agencies of the criminal justice system.

• Increase citizen and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies, and practices of the agency.

The Commission began accrediting police agencies in 1986. Initially, accreditation was awarded to agencies for a period of five years, after which agencies must reapply and be subjected to the reassessment process. Currently this process is done every three years.

The Wheeling Police Department was first Accredited in November of 1990.  In July of 1996, January of 2001, November of 2004 and November of 2007 the Department was reaccredited by the Commission demonstrating continued compliance with the Standards.

Planning/Training/Research 

Contact: Sergeant Larry Carmody
Email: lcarmody@wheelingil.gov

This unit is necessitated by the complex demands of modern police service which acknowledges the necessity of providing police services in the most efficient and effective means possible.  The supervisor of this unit is assigned on a full-time basis.  Some of the functions of this unit include:

• Coordination of all internal and external training requirements and maintenance of training files.  This includes Roll Call training, Field Training, and ongoing in-service training for department personnel.

• Development of operational plan and strategies.

• Research and preparation of budgetary proposals.

• Development of operational procedures and policy guidelines.

• Presentation of such other studies analysis, or assignments as designated by the chief of Police or Deputy Chief of Police.

Records 

Contact: Commander Theresa Wisnewski
Email: twisnewski@wheelingil.gov

The Wheeling Police Department administers and maintains a police records system which efficiently, effectively and accurately records and processes reported complaints/calls for police services. This unit utilizes police records management computer software to record and retrieve information which aids in the investigation of crimes; the planning of selective enforcement and preventative patrol; and assists the Department’s Command Staff in reaching decisions regarding department staffing levels and utilization of other department resources. The Records Unit is supervised by a Civilian Supervisor and staffed by six full-time personnel.

Communications 

Contact: Jeff Wieder
Email: jwieder@wheelingil.gov

The Communications Center of the Wheeling Police Department is staffed by a Supervisor and nine full-time employees who serve the 39,000 residents of the Village of Wheeling.  The personnel assigned are responsible for answering administrative and emergency telephone lines as well as all 911 calls for the Police and Fire Departments.  They are also responsible for dispatching Police units and monitoring the various radio frequencies used by the Village of Wheeling.

The Communications Center handles approximately 32,000 calls for police services each year.  The Wheeling Police Department operates on a conventional 800 MHz radio frequency with mobile and portable radios.  A separate VHF radio frequency is used for non-emergency traffic as well as providing back-up capabilities if the 800 MHz system should fail.  Two additional 800 MHz and two additional VHF frequencies are available for parades, special events or other situations where the primary frequency could be overloaded.  Capabilities also exist in the Communications Center to communicate on the Public Works, Fire Department, Fire Department Mutual Aid and Police intersystem (Point-to-Point) radio frequencies.
The Communications Center has computer links with the State of Illinois and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer systems as well as the ability to communicate with the in-car mobile data computer terminals.  The computer also allows communication with any other computer equipped police department in the country.

A satellite downlink provides Doppler radar images and weather forecasts for advance warning of severe weather conditions in the area that would affect not only the safety of the community but vehicular traffic as well. An emergency telephone notification system is in place to provide information to residents on emergencies or disaster situations. The Communications Center is under the direction of Officer Jeff Wieder, Communications Supervisor, who is responsible for staffing and the day-to-day operations.

The Illinois Premise Alert Program (Public Act 96-0788) provides for Public Safety Agencies in the State of Illinois to allow people with special needs to provide information to police, fire and EMS personnel to be kept in a database. The information can then be provided to responders dealing with situations involving the Special Needs individuals. The below information provided by you will be kept confidential and used only to provide Police, Fire and EMS personnel with the information needed to deal with situations or emergencies involving a Special Needs person. 
 
The notification expires 2 (two) years after the date it was submitted. You may update or renew it at any time by filing the form.  Click here to donwload the Premise Alert Program Form.

Support Services

The Social Services Unit is responsible for providing service or referrals for the following situations:

• Family Conflicts

• Referral to Community Resources

• Domestic Violence

• Victim/Witness Assistance

• Child Abuse/Neglect

• Parent-Child Stress

• Drugs & Alcohol

• Crisis Intervention

• Diagnostic Assessment

• Short Term Counseling

• Consultation

• Mental /Physical Illness

• Runaways

• Depression

An important component of the Social Services Program is emergency crisis intervention provided for situations which require professional services beyond the capabilities of the Police Officer.