A notable moment unfolded at the Mishawaka City Hall as the community gathered to witness the swearing-in of Alex Arendt as the new Chief of Police for the Mishawaka Police Department (MPD) during the Board of Public Works meeting on Tuesday, August 27. Arendt takes on the role following the retirement of former Chief Ken Witkowski Jr., who dedicated 20 years to the position. Witkowski, who has left a significant mark on the department, was also sworn in as the new director of code enforcement.
After being sworn in by Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood, Arendt expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the MPD. He emphasized his deep commitment to the safety of the community.
“I’m very fortunate that the mayor has placed his trust in me,” Arendt said. “I am honored by this opportunity and eager to continue protecting, serving, and building relationships in our community.”
Wood highlighted Arendt's virtuous traits and voiced his confidence in Arendt's leadership abilities, all of which made him the ideal candidate to guide the MPD into the future.
“I immediately recognized that he had the highest level of character, integrity, and commitment to community service,” Wood said. “From our first meeting, I knew not only that he represented the department exceptionally well and embodied its values, but also that he had great potential within the department.”
Arendt has been preparing for this role under Witkowski's mentorship for several years. During this time, he has gained valuable insights that have equipped him to build on his predecessor's legacy while bringing his own vision to the department.
“This transition has been in the works for a couple of years now,” Arendt said. “Chief Witkowski took me under his wing, involving me in various aspects of his role and guiding me along the way. I’ve been like a sponge, absorbing as much as I can so that when this day came, I’d be ready to step forward, and that’s what I’m prepared to do.”
Arendt praised Witkowski's dedication and leadership, emphasizing the former chief's focus on ensuring the department's excellence.
“Chief Witkowski has a wealth of experience,” Arendt said. “He’s dedicated to the people who work for him, selfless and humble, and is always ensuring his team is positioned to do the best job possible. His focus has always been on making sure the department reflects well on the city and that protecting our citizens remains the top priority.”
As he steps into his new role, Arendt plans to add to the strong foundation Witkowski has laid, while exploring new avenues as well.
“Chief Witkowski led this department for 20 years, and that’s a great accomplishment,” Arendt said. “He laid the groundwork here, and I don’t plan to change much, but I do intend to build on it with new strategies and advancements in law enforcement. We’re going to be transparent about how we do business. We’ll explore innovative ways to use technology and equipment to better serve and be more effective in our jobs as we move forward.”
Witkowski spoke with deep fondness as he reflected on his journey.
“I’m most proud of the journey — from where we started to where we ended up and the things we were able to accomplish,” Witkowski said. “I can’t believe it’s been 36 years in total. It’s amazing to me. I never realized how quickly the years were passing.”
Wood also honored Witkowski's leadership and service to the city.
“On behalf of our citizens, we cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices you made and the service you provided,” Wood said. “Mishawaka is growing rapidly, and that growth simply cannot happen without the MPD, those who serve it, and its leadership. There could be no better example of that than you. You have given this city the tremendous gift of a great future.”
In addition to Arendt and Witkowski swearing-in, Sergeant Timothy Wiley was promoted to and sworn in as assistant chief of the MPD Detective Bureau, and Dan Gebo, retired assistant chief of the MPD Detective Bureau, was sworn in as a School City of Mishawaka resource officer.
Reflecting on his new role, Arendt expressed pride in the department he has served for nearly three decades.
“I’m very proud of this department,” Arendt said. “I’ve worked here for 29 years in many different capacities. We have a lot of really good men and women working here, and our service and protection of the community remains our number one priority.”
For more information on the City of Mishawaka visit its website at mishawaka.in.gov.