Pick of the Patch: The Bayside Police Chief Shows Commitment

Born and raised in Bayside, 54-year-old Chief Bruce Resnick has some village history under his belt, and even more history with Bayside’s public safety.

He started in 1974 as a volunteer firefighter, moved on to work the overnight shift at dispatch, and was hired full time in 1981.  That means 2011 marks his thirtieth year of continuing service, and the village was quick to recognize it.

And Resnick, who describes himself as someone who avoids the limelight, certainly enjoyed the acknowledgement.

“Just even getting a proclamation from the village board I thought was really nice of them,” he said.  “They even got a cake.  Just to take the time to recognize your commitment to the community I thought was a great thing.”

Along with the recognition, Resnick was presented with some village apparel and a gift card, a store he says Village Manager Andy Pederson knows Resnick has an affinity for.

“The manager knows I’m addicted to Best Buy,” Resnick laughed.  “It was kind of funny because I left the little ceremony and went over to the store because I couldn’t spend it fast enough.” 

Getting the coveted 30-year Best Buy card, however, obviously took some work.

During Resnick’s undergrad at UW-Milwaukee and , he worked as a part-time dispatcher for the Public Safety Department.

“Back then we only had one full-time dispatcher, so I would usually work eight o’clock at night until four in the morning,” Resnick explained.  “That was not an easy shift, and I was going to school at the time, too. I had a few eight-in-the-morning classes that I may have napped through a couple times.”

Resnick then moved to get his masters degree at Marquette University for Public Service and Administration of Justice.  He was hired full-time at the Public Safety department in 1981 and attended the recruit academy.  Resnick graduated as valedictorian.

He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant, and again to Police Chief in 1994, the position he holds today.

Now after 30 years of service, Resnick looks back on his time in Bayside.  He says his best memory is meeting his wife, a sergeant at the .

But he also recalls his worst memory, a time where he used his unique skills to attempt to save a child’s life.

“I’m a certified SCUBA diver, and I’ve gotten to use that skill on the job here, only once,” Resnick began.  “It was probably my most disappointing moment since I’ve been here.  I was working one day many years ago and Glendale had a drowning.  They couldn’t get a dive team quick enough, so I volunteered to help. 

“I put on my personal SCUBA gear, dove into the water, and I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face.  It was so dirty.  So I was just reaching around the river floor where they thought the child had drowned, and I found him.  By that time, he had already died.  I went there to find him, but I didn’t really expect to.”

That was the first and last time Resnick has to use his SCUBA training on the job.

But along with SCUBA, Resnick is also a licensed helicopter and airplane pilot.  He used to fly the news chopper at Channel 6, and later for the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department. 

“The Bayside department always jokes that I’m going to put a helicopter on our budget, and if I thought our budget could stand it, I probably try it as a joke,” he laughed.

Although there have been many laughs, Resnick tried his hand at retirement in May of last year.  He returned to his position in June.

“I was fortune in that the Village offered me the position,” he said.  “I still enjoy what I’m doing, and I still think there are things I want to accomplish.  Given the way the pension system works here, coming back was financially smart for me and the department.”

After retiring once, would he retire again?

“I’ve been here for 30 years, and I’ll stay for 30 more,” he said while grinning.  “I’ll be the only 60-year police chief at Bayside.”

A playful and humorous response typical of Resnick.  He said Bayside is a great place to live and work, but he can’t be Police Chief forever.