Police and Fire Commission Meeting - March 18, 2026

The Police and Fire Commission (PFC) held its regular meeting on March 18, 2026, to discuss updates to the citizen complaint process, complaint form, and commission rules and regulations. The commission also received staffing reports from the fire and police departments and approved a request to initiate recruitment processes for paid-on-call and career firefighters.

Discussion Items

• PFC Citizen Complaint Process, Complaint Form, and Rules & Regulations Updates: Attorney Jenna presented a one-page document outlining the citizen complaint process, a redlined complaint form, and proposed revisions to the PFC rules and regulations. Key changes included a 12-month probationary period for new appointees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, clarification on promotion procedures (two-step process with initial recommendation subject to probation and final approval), a detailed initial hearing step in disciplinary proceedings, and a one-year deadline for filing citizen complaints (absent good cause). A commissioner questioned the use of the term "charges" in the form, noting it sounded more severe than "complaint." Another commissioner raised concerns about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language in the commission's mission statement, calling it a "political statement" and suggesting it be removed or revised. The discussion concluded that the motion would proceed on the presented redline changes, with the understanding that the mission statement could be addressed at a future meeting. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
• Fire Department Staff Report: Chief reported that calls for service are trending upward, though structural fires in February were limited to mutual aid support. Overtime for February totaled 650 hours, up from the previous year, due to position transitions and delayed hiring. Mandates (forced overtime) were also elevated. The department recently hired eight paid-on-call (POX) employees, with two already on shift and the remaining six expected by early April. Three additional POX candidates have conditional offers pending background checks.
• Police Department Staffing Report: Chief reported six vacancies (one captain, one sergeant to be filled in August, four police officers). Two officers are on limited duty. Officer-initiated calls for service have decreased considerably, attributed to staffing vacancies and reduced proactive work. Crime trends included three burglaries and two stolen autos in February, with a notable increase in entry-into-auto incidents (particularly involving Infiniti vehicles where thieves break through the sunroof to avoid alarms). The department is coordinating with Dane County partners on enforcement and public messaging.
• Request to Begin Recruitment for Paid-on-Call and Career Firefighters: Chief requested authorization to initiate both a POX and a career firefighter recruitment process simultaneously, aiming to produce eligibility lists and fill up to four additional POX positions and a career vacancy. The commission approved the request unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: The PFC citizen complaint process document, updated complaint form, and revisions to the PFC rules and regulations. Motion carried, with the understanding that the commission may revisit the mission statement language at a future meeting.
• Approved: The request to initiate recruitment processes for paid-on-call and career firefighters. Motion carried.
• Received: Fire and police department staffing reports as informational items.
• Skipped: Agenda items 6B and 6C (closed session) and 7B and 7C due to lack of in-person quorum (only one commissioner present, preventing closed session).
• Adjourned: Meeting ended with unanimous vote.