WAUSAU — Members of the city’s police and fire commission on Thursday voted unanimously to name Deputy Chief Ben Bliven as the Wausau Police Department’s new chief, effective in late February.
The commission interviewed Bliven for the position Thursday morning before approving the promotion.
Bliven has been with the department for 17 years and was promoted to deputy chief in December 2016 as part of a department restructuring plan.
The department’s current chief, Jeff Hardel, 57, took over as acting chief in 2005 after the retirement of his predecessor, Bill Brandimore and officially assumed the position of chief in April 2006. He announced his retirement in August.
Hardel’s last day on the job will be Feb. 23.
