Dunn County Sheriff visits Elk Mound village board meeting to talk about police department

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — Dunn County Sheriff Dennis Smith did not pull any punches when talking about the future of Elk Mound’s police department last Wednesday evening.

“When I heard you guys had a budget of about $70,000, most people aren’t going to get a full-time job for that unless they’re career-building and want to come here for a few years before they go somewhere else,” Smith told the president and trustees.

The county sheriff visited the August 2 meeting to speak with the board, answer questions, and offer guidance on how to proceed with the search for Elk Mound’s next police chief.

Smith hedged toward expressing his opinion regarding the village’s need for a law enforcement presence when he explained the village could hire a part-time chief and a handful of full-time patrol officers, or a full-time chief with a few part-time officers.

The head of Dunn County’s law enforcement office also informed the board they would need to take their time to select the right person and budget for the right salary and benefits package to draw someone interested in making the community his or her home while forging relationships with the people living there.

“You won’t find a chief unless they can make competitive money,” Smith said before following up with the fact that Dunn County deputies currently make approximately $26 per hour, and sergeants make upwards of $28 hourly.

The sheriff indicated the village would need to look at an employment package of approximately $75,000 per year in costs to lure in the type of individual who would make a good police chief. He also noted that amount would only provide 40 hours of enforcement out of the 168 hours each week.

Smith informed the board finding the right person for the right price can be a bit of a challenge, since there are often officers looking for a chief’s job because it provides an opportunity to show what the officer is capable of. Other officers might also be interested in the position because they would like to retire after serving as a chief of police.

In the end, Smith said the best possible scenario would be to find a candidate who is willing to work in partnership with the village board, who is not afraid to perform public relations tasks, and who has the confidence to serve the community without arrogance.

Finding an officer who has the necessary experience, or who is a quick study and is very willing to learn, is also a necessity.

Village president Steve Abraham said there has been some interest in the position already, and he is letting the interim chief, Mike Tietz, manage those canditates to keep them apprised of when the village is ready to advertise the position, select candidates for interview, and then select a new police chief.

“I think we’ve had some people interested who might be a good fit,” Abraham said. “We’ll see.”

The village president also said Tietz has been building a good foundation of public relations before moving on to more stringent measures of ordinance enforcement.

Trustee Terry Stamm said one of the things that frustrated him in the past was allotting part of the village budget to “paying to build – or make – a police chief.” The statement seemed to indicate a desire for an officer with prior training and progressive job responsibility, as opposed to having to train someone for the position.

He noted the board will need to change its mindset regarding budgeting for an experienced police officer in order to draw the most desirable candidates.

Police report and other business

Interim police chief Mike Tietz provided a brief written report with his recommendations for the next steps toward hiring a new chief, and a copy of a letter to be sent to property owners not in compliance with village ordinances regarding public nuisances.

Tietz provided a document detailing the next steps toward hiring a new police chief. He suggested a joint meeting of the public safety and employee relations committees where the two groups reaffirm their decision to hire a full-time chief, talk about traits of ideal candidates, identify a competitive wage and benefit package to attract potential candidates, and then either seek the board’s approval to start recruitment, or act on prior board authority to do as the committee recommends.

The document also encourages the board to take its time, be realistic in expectations due to the competitive job market and low interest in law enforcement work, be prepared to repeat the process and reevaluate as necessary – if candidates are not forthcoming, maintain awareness that past negative publicity will be a factor in responses, and anticipate what department staffing might look like in the next 12 to 18 months.

The interim chief informed the board he will be available to help guide and facilitate the process, and interpret data and trends as necessary as the president and trustees move forward with their hiring process.

He has identified 31 properties that will receive the letter asking for voluntary compliance with ordinances 10-5 and 11-6, which pertain to unregistered vehicles, storage of parts/junk, or other unsightly property. The letter warns property owners that a lack of response to the written notice would result in fines exceeding $200 daily for each day of noncompliance.

Tietz also explained the changes to the 2017-2018 Dunn County Humane Society contract amendment. He indicated the changes surround rabies testing in cats or dogs that have bitten people or other animals. The previous document indicated the animals would be taken to vet clinics and tested if the owners were not known; the amendments changed the document to reflect the society’s current practice of seeking vet care for the animals and then providing housing for them.

The document was approved unanimously.

The board closed the night by providing unanimous approval of licenses to serve liquor for Joel Michaelson and Syndria Frion at the Pourhouse.