Fitchburg Police and Fire Commission Meeting – September 16, 2026

The Fitchburg Police and Fire Commission met on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, for its regular monthly meeting. The commission approved prior minutes, heard one virtual public comment, received reports from the fire and police departments, and held a closed-session discussion before authorizing an internal detective recruitment process. The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the August 19, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Endris, speaking virtually during public appearances for non-agenda items, said he had made no progress since his last appearance and alleged that the Fitchburg Police Department and an HMO were involved in actions he considered disturbing. He asked Chief Morales to contact him, said he believed he could overturn a conviction if he could ask three questions of Matthew Leahy, and said he would continue fighting the case.

Discussion Items

• Command staff hire process: Commissioner Wheeler requested the discussion, saying he was uncomfortable with elements of the prior promotional processes, particularly candidates undergoing a second interview after the chief's recommendation that they may not have expected. Newer commissioners responded that the second interview had been useful and helped them understand candidates before voting, while supporting guardrails around it. The group agreed to have staff and the chief review the process and ensure candidates are told in advance that the commission may ask questions; no formal action was taken.
• Fire department report: Fire Chief Server reported that August responses were on track for a summertime increase. Call types included four fires, a sprinkler save in a multifamily building, and a significant multifamily fire that temporarily displaced 24 units and displaced 8 units long-term. Inspections were on track. Average response time had dropped from July's roughly seven-minute average, which had been driven by calls to the perimeter of the coverage area; he hoped to get it back below six minutes. Council had authorized two additional career firefighters; one background check was complete and the other nearly complete, and both new hires were current interns expected to be integrated by the end of the month. A recruitment process to replace those interns closes Sunday. Overtime was high in August, but the department had integrated three POX chiefs, cleared three more people to drive apparatus, and expected scheduling to improve in October. Mandated overtime totaled 214 hours, and hours with three-person staffing on at least one engine fell from 652 in July to 188 in August. The chief also promoted an upcoming open house and awards ceremony.
• Police department report: Captain McCarthy reported that Community Night Out was again successful. Activity trends included increased property crime, burglaries mostly of basement storage units, and vehicle thefts or attempted thefts; one vehicle was physically stolen in August. Aggravated assaults were up year-to-date, and the department was working with countywide partners on recent gun and violent crime affecting Fitchburg, Madison, and other municipalities. Staffing: 52 of 54 authorized positions were technically filled, five officers were at the academy, three were on light or restricted duty, and there were two vacancies. Police officer interviews are scheduled for the following week. Because a detective may retire next year, Captain McCarthy requested permission to open an internal detective recruitment process.

Key Outcomes

• The commission approved the August 19 minutes.
• After moving into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes section 19.85(1)(c) to discuss employment promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation matters, the commission voted unanimously to authorize an internal detective recruitment process.
• The commission took no formal action on the command staff hiring process beyond agreeing that staff and the chief should review and communicate it.
• The motion to adjourn passed at 5:28 p.m. with one commissioner voting no.