Born and raised in Berlin Borough, Wilkinson hopes to continue the improvements made by the chief before him
Born and raised in Berlin Borough, Milliard Wilkinson attended Berlin Community School and later graduated from Eastern Regional High School in 1986. He quickly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, traveling to Israel, Morocco, Spain and more, before being honorably discharged in 1990.
After a few years at Camden County College and Rutgers University, Wilkinson joined the Berlin Police Department in 1994 alongside friend Michael Miller. Together, over the past 25 years, the two have patrolled Berlin Borough and kept residents safe in varying capacities after being sworn in to the department on the same night.
After the recent retirement of Miller from the department, Wilkinson was promoted as the new chief of police for the Berlin Police Department, having served as a lieutenant since 2017. As Miller received a plaque commemorating his service with the department, ending his time as a police officer, Wilkinson was sworn in as Miller’s successor.
Wilkinson dreamed of wearing the uniform and protecting residents, especially around Berlin Borough, and joined the Marines with the intention of one day becoming an officer.
“I always wanted to be a police officer,” Wilkinson said. “And joining the military seemed like a direct pathway for me to becoming a cop.”
However, being honest, Wilkinson says that becoming chief of police was never something he aspired to do, despite always wanting to protect residents.
“Some people come into this job and covet wanting to be a police chief; that isn’t really me. I think it’s something you feel you in your belly when you’re ready, and I feel like I have more to give,” Wilkinson said. “But now I’m confident in my ability to do it.”
Wilkinson, along with Councilman Jim Pearce, says the great thing about the department is there isn’t much to change. In recent years, the department has advanced immensely in terms of technology and responsibility, according to both.
Instead, Wilkinson looks forward to leading with a transformational style.
“Guys have input; if an officer has an idea, give them input in the department and let them run with their ideas, within reason,” Wilkinson said. “We have some officers that do that now.”
Pearce noted the department’s officers are all remarkably young, with Pearce and Wilkinson having watched the majority of officers on the force be sworn in over the years. Such an instance has led to different ways of thinking about situations, leading to a more fluid department.
Wilkinson said he looks forward to continuing to foster a police department that residents can be proud to have protect them.
Wilkinson says he inherited a stable, well-run police department and believes Miller did a great job. Moving forward, Wilkinson hopes to continue making improvements rather than “fix” anything.
Pearce said during Wilkinson’s interview process, he stated that belief as well.
“One of the things he said was that there’s not a whole lot to change right now,” Pearce said. “He wants to build more on what’s already here because he thinks Miller had done a great job.”
Overall, Wilkinson says he is prepared to assume the responsibilities of chief and looks forward to helping the department and residents. Having been raised in Berlin, he could not be more thankful for the position he is in.
“Everything in my life I owe to this town,” Wilkinson said. “Literally everything I have in my life is owed to this town.”
