Chiamulera sworn in as Rhinelander’s new police chief

For only the 15th time in almost 150 years, Rhinelander has a new police chief. 

Josh Chiamulera was sworn in as the new chief of the Rhinelander Police Department (RPD) on Thursday morning, Jan. 29, at Rhinelander City Hall.

More than two dozen well-wishers, about a third of which were his family, gathered in the common council chambers to watch the ceremony, applauding with gusto after he was administered the oath of office by city clerk Austyn Zarda.

Chiamulera succeeds Lloyd Gauthier, who retired Jan. 9 after a law enforcement career of more than 35 years, including nearly nine as Rhinelander’s police chief. Gauthier fully endorsed Chiamulera to be his successor, and helped ready him for the role.

Chiamulera’s own career spans 19 years to date with the RPD, joining in 2007 before being promoted to detective sergeant in 2013 and captain in 2021.

“It is an honor,” the newly sworn-in chief told the gathering. “I appreciate everyone’s support on this. It’s a big role to fill, and I appreciate all the city leaders that have come out in support of this as well, from this family. 

“It’s kind of a daunting task at times to think that I’m in charge of the welfare of everyone in the city, those that live here and everyone that comes and works and visits, but something I don’t take lightly, and I won’t. It’s good to have the support of the officers as well, couldn’t do it without the team for sure, 100 percent.”

Soon after, wearing his new chief of police badge that was pinned on by his wife, Jenny, Chiamulera told the Northwoods River News, “It’s just an honor to hold this position, and like I said, it’s not something that I will take lightly. 

“There’s a lot of honor that comes with it. The chief is a very public image, and it’s something that all the leaders look on for a lot of different answers, and sometimes can be a face of the community, for sure.

“But the city can’t run without all the other department heads,” he added. “The street department, parks department, the water, the fire department; we all got to work together to make this city happen. 

“City’s got great people that live and work here, and it’s just going to be an honor to serve them.”

Mayor Kris Hanus is pleased both with and for the new chief: “Josh, he’s been here a long time, he’s very community-driven, he knows all the officers, he knows a lot of people in the community. I think it’s a win. 

“To see someone be able to promote to deputy chief and now chief within the city is great, see him move up the ranks, as well as what he’s going to bring to the table.” 

The planning that went into the transition is cause for applause, too. 

“Our previous chief, Lloyd Gauthier, is local; he was planning on retiring for a couple years and really helped Josh get up to speed, got him in enough training courses, so this transition should be easy,” Hanus said.

 “It’s one of those, you know, ‘today-tomorrow’; it’s still status quo operation as normal, versus a training period and a speeding-up period to know the town, to know the community.”

Ardith Carlton may be reached at [email protected].