Wildwood Gets New City Marshal

After 11 years as Wildwood city marshal, Bob Warren announced his retirement from the position. Wildwood resident Bill Garrett was appointed as Warren's replacement by Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther, and approved by city council members at Monday's meeting.

Garrett is a consultant who lives on Vintage Oak Drive in Wildwood. He has a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and is a graduate of the St. Louis County Police Academy.

Having lived in Wildwood since 1994, Garrett said he started his police career in West County and Central County police departments, before transferring to Wildwood. After serving as a police officer in Wildwood one term, he became a detective in the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. Then he said he and his wife had triplets, and he returned to the Wildwood precinct.

Related to time needed for the triplets, Garrett said he took a job with a company based in Dallas, but it eventually involved too much travel.

He said volunteering on the Wildwood's Board of Public Safety gave him a great way to give back to the community.

"I've really enjoyed working with Bob; he's a very knowledgable man. Things ran smoothly with him, and he is big shoes to fill," said Garrett.

The compensation of Wildwood's marshal is $1,200 per year, unless declined.

Duties and Qualification of Wildwood Marshal

Wildwood's city marshal acts as a liaison between the police and city council members, in addition to chairing the city's Board of Public Safety. The marshal does not have to be a certified police officer, but must reside in Wildwood.

The duties of the marshal, per the city's code, include:

1. Reporting to city council members on matters of public safety, communicate with the police department through the Wildwood commander or his supervisors, and the planning and contracting departments thereof, and making suggestions and recommendations to the council for improvement to the reporting and communication process;

2. Advising the city administrator in the preparation of the budget for police protection, and providing comments on that budget to the council members and the mayor;

3. Cooperating with the city administrator as liaison between the police department and council members, the mayor and city departments and agencies;

4. Recommending new ordinances to protect the health and safety of Wildwood citizens;

5. Keeping city council members and the mayor advised on the latest techniques of law enforcement, which may include pursuing grants and other resources to improve law enforcement and public safety;

6. Communicating any complaints from the city council members, mayor or any citizen regarding the actions of any police officer or department to the police supervisor in charge;

7. Acting as liaison between the council members and the fire protection districts within Wildwood.