Mitchell resigns as Wilmington Police Chief

After just seven months on the job, Wilmington Police Chief Joe Mitchell is moving on.

On Monday, Oct. 24, Mayor Ben Dietz announced that Mitchell had tendered his resignation.

“We are grateful to Chief Mitchell for his service to our community over these last seven months,” Dietz said.

“From my initial meeting with him he came off to me as someone who would be firm but fair and was a fan of policies and procedure and I felt that is what our community needed. In the seven short months the Chief has been here he helped focus our department on modernizing, building relationships, and working to improve our officers. During that time period he also helped step up recruitment efforts, focus on truck enforcement, provide more accountability and transparency, and start the process of accreditation for our Police Department. I am very thankful for his time with us and wish him and his family all the best."

Mitchell was sworn in as chief on March 15, and officially took up duties on April 4. He was appointed after an exhaustive search to replace former Chief Phil Arnold, who left the department at the start of 2022.

Mitchell previously served with the Orland Park Police Department for 27 years.

Dietz said Deputy Chief Adam Zink will take over the role of chief as the city seeks out a candidate to fulfill the position.

Mitchell’s last day is Friday, Nov. 4.