Waterloo Police Chief Mike Douglas has announced his retirement after just more than two years in the position and nearly 30 years in local law enforcement.

“It has truly been an honor to work for the city of Waterloo and serve the residents of this community for the past 29 years,” Douglas told the Republic-Times. “I want to thank Mayor Smith and the council for the many opportunities and experiences I was afforded throughout my career. I would also like to thank my family for their support throughout the years.”

The official retirement date for Douglas will be Sept. 6, but he will begin using accrued vacation time starting July 1.

“I truly enjoyed working  for the city of Waterloo and will miss the many people that I have worked with throughout my tenure,” he said.

Douglas succeeding Jim Trantham as police chief upon Trantham’s retirement in November 2016. 

Douglas, 55, is a lifelong Waterloo resident, graduating from Waterloo High School in 1981. 

He joined the Navy shortly after graduation, and later joined the Army Reserves and then the Illinois Air National Guard. He served in active duty from October 2001 through July 2003 and was deployed multiple times, the latest time being in 2012 to Afghanistan. 

Douglas is active with Metzger-Crook VFW Post 6504 in Waterloo. He and wife, Laura, have two children: Shane and Mackenzie.

Douglas holds criminal justice degrees from Southwestern Illinois College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, plus an associate’s degree in human resources from the Community College of the Air Force.

Douglas started with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in April 1990 before moving to the Waterloo Police Department in September 1990 as a patrol officer. He advanced to the rank of sergeant and eventually was named captain in 2007, serving as assistant chief under Trantham.

“I’ve worked with Mike since I was a state trooper and he’s always been great,” Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith said. “He was easy to work with during my time as mayor when he was a deputy chief and also the chief. We’re losing a lot of experience with all of his years in law enforcement and his years in Waterloo.”

Smith said his plan is to appoint current Waterloo Deputy Police Chief Jeff Prosise as the department’s new chief upon Douglas’ official retirement date in September.