The City of Topeka announced today the retirement notice of Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles. Chief Wheeles will be closing out a three-decade long law enforcement career of distinguished service on July 1, 2024. He has worked in many capacities within the Topeka Police Department (TPD) to include; a patrol officer, a narcotics investigator, a homicide detective, a supervisor and various levels of police command, culminating as the Chief of Police.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Wheeles for his unwavering dedication and years of service to not only his fellow officers, but the city as a whole,” said Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt. “Chief Wheeles leads by example. His calm, pragmatic, reliable presence in times of crisis is felt far beyond the police department. He is the first to offer help wherever he is needed and he will be deeply missed.”
“Thirty years of dedicated police service, within one community, makes me very proud,” said Chief Wheeles. “There are a lot of amazing people working at TPD and it has been an honor, beyond my ability to truly express, to serve beside them all these years. I loved my job and got to make a difference. When you come to the end of a career and look back, it’s hard to ask for more than that. It has been a great ride, in a great community and I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and seeing what life brings me out of the uniform.”
The city wants to acknowledge Chief Wheeles’ leadership, celebrate his career, and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. In the coming weeks, the city will share details regarding the search process for the next Police Chief.