GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) - An extraordinary and long career is coming to an end for Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson, who officially announced his retirement in a release on Wednesday. Chief Peterson started his career in policing in 1980, starting as a patrol officer with the Appleton Poli ce Department, and served in multiple ways for 29.5 years with Appleton. This included a 20-month term as interim chief for Grand Chute amidst potential mergers between the two cities' police forces. Winnebago County discusses future of UWO Fox Cities campus In the release, Chief Peterson said that time revealed he had faith in the "Grand Chute Police Department's potential to become a model organization," leading him to apply for the permanent spot, which he earned and became appointed to on April 21, 2010. Under Chief Peterson's guidance, the Grand Chute Police Department came a long way, adding its first K-9 unit in 2011 and second in 2019. The department was accredited by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group and has continued in that honor since. Chief Peteron's tenure also saw the launch of a career development program, providing unique chances to attain higher degrees and offering coaching and employee wellness programs along with the opportunity to attend leadership conferences. The Grand Chute Police Department has also introduced initiatives that have helped fight crime in the area and attack the fentanyl crisis head-on with Overdose Action Kits. In addition, the department added an automated license plate recognition system and a drone-as-a-first responder program. In the release, Dave Tiedt, who served on the Police and Fire Commission in Grand Chute since 1996, credited Chief Peterson's leadership and experience with helping make the Grand Chute Police Department one of the state's finest. "His professional experience and management abilities have advanced the police department into one of Wisconsin’s best," Tiedt said via the release. He expressed great pleasure in serving in his role, calling it the best of his career while reflecting on the difficult decision to step away. "My tenure as chief has been the pinnacle of a career that has spanned more than 44 years," Chief Peterson said via the release. "My decision to leave the position has been extremely difficult to make." Peterson credited his and the Grand Chute Police Department's success over his tenure to the people on the force, expressing the force's ability to consistently work towards excellent service and mindset of protecting the people of Grand Chute. "Without a doubt, the successes we have experienced over the past 15 years can be attributed to these remarkable individuals and the culture of excellence they have created," Chief Peterson said in the release. Green Bay Metro Fire Department unveils Spring Recruitment Class of 2025, 11 new firefighters Chief Peterson will remain in his role until a selection process for the new chief is completed, expected by late summer or early this fall, as recruitment procedures begin. He finished off by expressing gratitude for the time he's spent. "It has truly been an honor and privilege to be a part of this team," Chief Peterson said via the release. ...read more read less