PLYMOUTH – After an exhaustive search, the Plymouth Police and Fire Commission has appointed Kenneth Ruggles as the new Plymouth Chief of Police.
Ruggles will begin his tenure on May 15, and will be the first new Police Chief in Plymouth since Jeffrey Tauscheck took over in 2007. Tauscheck retired from the force in 2022 after 15 years as department head. Deputy Chief Matthew Starker has been serving as Plymouth’s interim chief since then.
Ruggles brings 28 years of law enforcement experience to Plymouth, including serving as Commander of Administration for the Plainfield (Illinois) Police Department since 2020. He has also served as the Plainfield Commander of Community Services and Deputy Director of the Plainfield Emergency Management Agency from 2012-2019, and the Plainfield Commander of Patrol Operations from 2007-2012.
In addition, Ruggles has extensive experience with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Association, and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.
“I would like to thank the City of Plymouth and the Police and Fire Commission for this opportunity. My wife and I are excited to join the Plymouth community,” said Ruggles.
The City of Plymouth received over 30 applications for the position of Police Chief, eventually narrowing the field down to four finalists: Elkhart Lake Police Chief Michael Meeusen, Brodhead (Wisconsin) Police Chief Christopher Hughes, Calumet County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Eric Voland, and Ruggles.
The final selection process included a multi-day assessment involving discussions with community stakeholders, Plymouth Police and Fire Department staff, City of Plymouth staff and the Plymouth Police and Fire Commission.
Police and Fire Commission President Kathy Halloran is looking forward to Ruggles taking over the role of Police Chief. “I am excited to have Ken as our new Chief. Ken’s knowledge and skills will help guide the future of the Plymouth Police Department.”
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Thank you for taking part in our commenting section. We want this platform to be a safe and inclusive community where you can freely share ideas and opinions. Comments that are racist, hateful, sexist or attack others won’t be allowed. Just keep it clean. Do these things or you could be banned:
• Don’t name-call and attack other commenters. If you’d be in hot water for saying it in public, then don’t say it here.
• Don’t spam us.
• Don’t attack our journalists.
Let’s make this a platform that is educational, enjoyable and insightful.
Email questions to tjones@orourkemediagroup.com.