Sworn in: New Chief of Police and Assistant Chief and Director of Code Enforcement in Mishawaka

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- The new Mishawaka police chief is officially sworn in.

Following the retirement of Chief Ken Witkowski Jr., a new face is at the helm, but he is not new to the department as he comes up on his 29th year.

The former chief described this next chapter of his life as "bittersweet." He says the time flew by, but he is not leaving the city entirely.

“Look in the mirror in the morning and shave and it’s like who’s that old guy in the mirror,” Former Chief Witkowski said.

After serving on the force for 36 years and 20 as chief, Witkowski is passing the torch.

“It’s tough. I’ve probably hired more than half of the department. The men and women like say I miss them already. I love this department,” he said

He became chief in 2004 and after all those years says the job never bothered him, no matter the hour the phone rang.

“I always told everyone and cause you know cause they don’t want to call you at two in the morning three in the morning. I’m like I don’t care I want to know what’s going on,” Witkowski continued.

Now the new chief, Alex Arendt is taking the reins in Mishawaka.

He has served the department for nearly three decades but Arendt says he plans to focus on continuing  the culture his former boss created.

“To be transparent in how we do business. We’re going to look at innovative ways of using technology and equipment to better serve and be more effective and how we do our jobs," Chief Alex Arendt said. 

Mayor Dave Wood even declared August 27th as "Ken Witkowski Jr. Day" and also presented the former chief with a key to the city.

While Witkowski is no longer in uniform, he is not going to fully retire. He was sworn in to his new role as Director of Code Enforcement which feels like a new world him.

“I feel lost. Like i said out there. It’s like my first day of school. I’ll get there. It’s just so brand new,” Witkowski said.

Chief Witkowski is eligible to take his police  pension on top of  the full salary from his new role as code enforcement director.