Dells cuts summer police
By Anna Krejci, Dells Events
The Wisconsin Dells Public Safety Committee approved the hire of three limited term employees who will conduct foot patrols during the summer, three less than previous summers.
Wisconsin Dells Police Chief Bret Anderson told the committee that last summer it had six LTEs and this summer it will have three. Retired Lake Delton police officer Dave Leifer will be working part time on the weekends which will help maintain staffing levels of two patrol officers on foot on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Anderson said.
After the meeting, Anderson said the reduction from six LTEs to three will save the city $24,000 and still provide the level of service people expect.
Committee member Brian Holzem said when it comes to holidays in the Dells, he’d rather have a higher number of officers working on whatever day of the week the holiday falls on as opposed to having more officers working on a Sunday. The holidays are busier than most Sundays, he said.
The police department is in the process of hiring the new employees.
Dells Mayor Eric Helland asked whether three LTE employees would be sufficient.
Anderson said the department would have to revisit its staffing plans if one LTE left the department for a full-time job elsewhere, but he said he’s confident the employees will stay through the summer.
The committee also reviewed the LTE job description, which mainly consists of writing parking tickets and enforcing ordinances against shoplifting for downtown businesses. Anderson said the LTEs have a probationary period of two calendar years, after which the LTEs receive more protection against having their employment terminated.
Most LTEs that return for summer work in the Dells usually return for a maximum of three years, Anderson said.
Committee member Debbie Kinder asked if the department would hire a woman.
Anderson said one female has applied and that the department traditionally hires the most qualified person.
“We are diversifying when it comes to equal opportunity,” Anderson said.
Assistant Police Chief Jody Ward said some Native American members are on the force.
Helland asked whether the applicants are hired on the basis of language skills.
Anderson said they are evaluated on communication.
In other business, the committee took the following action:
– Approved dispatcher Karen Kimball’s letter of retirement.
– Approved Anderson’s plan to hire a replacement dispatcher by March 1 and have that person fully trained by May 15.
– Heard an update on the K-9 police program. The current K-9 is retiring and will have a home with officer Jesse Weaver, and the department will get a new dog.
– Heard a presentation from Kilbourn Fire Department Fire Chief Tory Wolfram on the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. The system proposes ways to pre-arrange which neighboring departments will send help to an emergency that requires response from multiple departments. Wolfram said participation will require the city to pass a resolution, and it will probably be a year before the program is implemented in Sauk County.