Operations Division

Operations Division Commander Ted Hennessy

Patrol Unit

With 19 Police Officers and a Community Service Officer, the Patrol Unit of the Police Department is its largest.  The Patrol Unit is responsible for responding to both emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the public, in addition to handling special assignments, self-initiated activities and addressing community concerns.  Patrol Officers are responsible for the protection of life and property and maintaining peace and order in the community.  The Patrol Unit helps prevent crime and gives a visible presence to the public that instills confidence and security.  Patrol Officers are responsible for the initial investigation of all crimes from traffic crashes to homicides.

Each officer and sergeant who works the dayshift or afternoon shift are also responsible for patrolling their small ICOP sector, which is a program designed to provide good communications with neighbors at a close and personal level.

The Patrol Unit is divided into three shifts in order to provide 24-hour police services.  Each shift is supervised by 2 Sergeants.

The Department supplements traditional patrol units with officers trained to perform specialized functions such as that of Canine Officer, Evidence Technician, Field Training Officer, Truck Enforcement, Bicycle Officer, Juvenile Officer and Breath Analysis Officers.

The Community Service Officer acts as an adjunct to the Patrol Unit and assists the Patrol Officers with a dynamic range of tasks including parking enforcement, animal control, abandoned vehicles, private property crash reporting, traffic control and enforcement of ordinance violations.  The CSO also acts as the Marine Team Coordinator.

Canine Team

The Canine Team of Sergeant John Combs and partner Maxx act as the Department Canine Team.  The Team acts as a supplement to the Patrol Unit, assisting with searches for items, drugs or people.  The Canine Team also provides assistance to other police departments as needed and conducts public demonstrations on request.

The Canine Team has assisted with drug sweeps in the local high schools and provided demonstrations for Neighborhood Watch Groups, schools and civic groups.  Part of each week is dedicated to training with other canine teams from around the Lake County area; Sergeant Combs is recognized as an efficient and effective leader in canine operations.

Marine Safety Section

During the boating season, the Wauconda Police Department patrols Bangs Lake. The Marine Unit, which is staffed by trained personnel, ensures that Bangs Lake is safe for everyone’s use. Marine Safety Officers enforce all Village of Wauconda’s boating and fishing ordinances, in addition to federal, state, and county regulations, and are strictly enforced. Marine Safety Officers, with full powers of enforcement and arrest, enforce all laws regulating boat safety (including safety inspections), conservation, and also maintain the regulatory buoys.