Chief Bruestle’s career spans over 48 years graduating from Michigan State University, Police Administration in 1955 then serving his country as a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, Military Police Corp. After his military duty he returned to Michigan and served as a police officer for the Waterford Township and Birmingham Police Departments. While serving in Birmingham, Darryl became an Administrative Assistant developing the department’s first comprehensive policy and procedure manual and was appointed Chief in 1967.

Chief Bruestle continued his law enforcement career, accepting an appointment with the International Association of Chiefs of Police serving as Assistant Director of the Police Management Division of IACP. After his service with IACP, Darryl was appointed Chief of Police of Wilmington, North Carolina Police Department retiring in 1991.

Darryl Bruestle came out of retirement in 1996 to oversee the development of continuing education programs for law enforcement and public safety officers at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina.