Babl retires after 31+ years in local law enforcement, ‘grateful for every moment’

By Brandi Makuski

After 31 and a half years in local law enforcement, UW-Stevens Point Police Chief Tony Babl is calling it a career.

It wasn’t something he had always planned for—but after more than three decades of service, including years spent fostering a stronger relationship between campus police and the broader community, Babl said it felt like the right time.

“I never really set out to be a chief,” Babl said during an exclusive interview with the Metro Wire on Jan. 9, reflecting on his career. “I started as a patrol officer in Stevens Point in ’93, right out of college. I was perfectly fine being a patrol officer, but there was always this sense of, ‘What else can I do to help?’”

That question drove him throughout his time at the Stevens Point Police Department, where he wore many hats—literally. Babl recalled his time on motorcycle patrol, back when the department had a couple of Harley-Davidsons in the mid-90s.

“It was fun,” he said. “But there were limitations—you can’t ride in the rain or winter, so it just wasn’t practical long-term.”

In 2018, Babl made the leap to UWSP, taking on the role of police chief for the university’s Police and Parking Services. It was a significant change, but one he felt ready for. “I was looking for something new,” Babl said. “I had done a lot at the city [police department], and the opportunity at UWSP came up. I didn’t necessarily think I was going to get it, but I figured it was worth trying.”

Babl said he was already familiar with many on campus, having worked closely with the university as a city detective. Still, stepping into the chief role came with its challenges. One of the biggest, he said, was helping the community understand that campus police were real officers.

“We got calls early on from people saying, ‘Hey, I just got stopped by a university cop—can they do that?’” Babl recalled. “We had to change the mindset of not just people on campus, but in the community, too. We worked hard to show that we’re here to help, and we built great relationships with the city and county departments.”

Under Babl’s leadership, the department grew to 10 full-time sworn officers and four part-time officers. He also revamped policies, upgraded equipment, and implemented new training programs—all while fostering a collaborative environment with local law enforcement agencies.

“One of the biggest achievements was merging our records management system with the county,” Babl said. “That was huge. It allowed us to streamline evidence management and create a more secure evidence room, which was something we really needed.”

Babl’s commitment to continuous improvement didn’t go unnoticed. He credits much of his success to having the right team in place.

“I put the right people in the right positions,” he said. “I hired two sergeants right away, Trina James and Ted [Wanta], both officers I knew well from the city. That helped us focus on important areas like investigations and evidence collection.”

Despite the progress, Babl said his decision to retire wasn’t prompted by any single event.

“There’s always something going on—projects to finish, things to improve,” he said. “But I just felt it was time to move on and do something else with my life.”

His wife, he admitted, was thrilled. “She’s been wanting me to get out of it for a while,” he said, citing the stress and liability that comes with the job. “You never think it’s going to happen here, but you see things in the news—active shooter situations, incidents that chiefs get blamed for—and it wears on you.”

In his next chapter, Babl plans to explore real estate—he recently earned his license—and spend more time on personal interests, like working on old cars and finishing projects around his house. He and his wife are also planning a trip for the spring.

As he looks back on his career, Babl said he’ll miss the people the most.

“You become very close with the people you work with in law enforcement,” he said. “It’s a tight bond. But I’m not leaving the area, so I plan to stay in touch.”

For Babl, the best part of his job was making a difference—whether it was through his work as a school resource officer, his time as a detective, or his leadership on the SWAT team. “It’s a great career,” he said. “It has its ups and downs, but overall, I have no regrets.”

As he wrapped up his final shift, Babl gave his last call over the radio—a moment captured on audio by the Metro Wire, and photos taken by his family to mark the occasion.

“It’s amazing what you do over a full career,” he said. “Looking back, it’s hard to believe how many roles I had and how much I got to be a part of. I’m grateful for every moment of it.”