Our officers are drawn to the department for its culture, supportive community, proactive approach, professionalism, and effective crime prevention. The department’s focus is on proactive measures, community engagement, and support, which creates an attractive work environment for our officers.
The recruiting environment for police officers has become very competitive over the past several years. While we used to be able to recruit individuals from Madison Area Technical College (MATC) police academy, that is no longer the case. In the past, individuals would put themselves through the police academy to be more marketable for hire. Now, other departments are paying new hires to attend the academy while we do not have the funding to do so. Additionally, due to limited seat availability at the academy, Dane County agencies are having to send new hires as far as Appleton for recruit training. [...]
Yes, competitive wages, proactive policing practices, and a supportive work environment are critical for recruitment and retention. The current strategy includes hiring officers with experience versus new recruits. This is due to a reduction in police candidates (see question: What type of recruiting are we doing at MATC?), a competitive labor market to maintain effective staffing, and the benefits of maintaining a consistent and experienced team. We continue to recruit and hire retired officers among our part-time ranks and our current staff includes a significant amount of professional experience.
I think additional visual presence alone is unlikely to reduce high-risk incidents. While visible patrols can deter some driving infractions, a comprehensive approach that includes proactive policing, community engagement, use of technology, and strategic enforcement is most likely to address the root causes of high-risk situations.
I think traffic diversion measures would improve traffic safety in Maple Bluff, however I do not think alternative policies and traffic control strategies alone would displace the need for additional officers. Maintaining two-officer coverage is important to ensure safety and effective response to incidents in the growing urban environment.
Approximately one-third of our service calls are traffic-related, with most of the traffic passing through the North Sherman Corridor. The duration of a traffic stop varies, but the vast majority are completed in less than 10 minutes. It is common for a violation observed on Sherman Avenue to result in a stop beyond village limits, typically not far unless the suspect evades arrest. This occurs because officers need time to make observations, verify information, and coordinate resources before activating their lights to ensure accuracy and safety. Given the small size of our community, this often means stops extend just outside village [...]
Approximately one-third of calls for service are traffic-related, with a high percentage of arrests stemming from these contacts. Notably, very few Department arrests involve village residents – in fact, none in 2023. The Sherman Avenue corridor experiences significant through-traffic, making it most likely for higher-risk interactions. This highlights the need for consistent officer coverage on Sherman Avenue to manage these risks effectively, deter dangerous behaviors, and improve overall safety in this corridor of our community.
We are not currently able to staff a second officer every night but have structured our scheduling to maximize coverage as much as possible. Unfortunately, very few part-time officers want, or are able, to work the precise shifts the Department would prefer. Full-time officers on the other hand can provide consistency in our double coverage. Higher-risk situations can occur at any time but more frequently occur in afternoons and evenings. In 2023, we received approximately 70% of our calls for service from 11am to 3am. Adding two officers would allow the Department to typically cover this timeframe.
I support exploring the potential benefit of traffic calming measures, but do not think that they alone will address the evolving safety needs we have. I also think waiting to add staff could result in preventable tragedies.
Yes, current policies from Lexipol and the Department’s training program are designed to balance officer safety with crime prevention standards. These policies incorporate legal standards, best practices, and the latest research in law enforcement. The Department’s training program ensures that officers are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively prevent crime while maintaining their safety. Proactive policing, community engagement, and the use of technology and data analytics further support this balance.
