Crime & Safety
Caledonia Village Board Approves Chief's Reoganization Plan
Assistant Police Chief John Barnes to retire in July, Chief said.
Caledonia, WI - The Police Department will continue to have a 34-member staff, but its command structure will change under a reorganization plan approved by the Village Board Tuesday evening.
The reorganization, proposed by Police Chief Toby Schey, calls for the post of assistant police chief to be reclassified as lieutenant-administration. Assistant Chief John Barnes plans to retire in July. A second lieutenant post will be called lieutenant-operations, Schey said at a special Village Board meeting held Tuesday night.
In addition, the police department will have:
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- Five sergeants, up from the current four
- 20 to 21 police officers
- Two to three detectives
- One municipal court officer
- Two support staff
Schey said that the new structure will allow him to make some overdue internal promotions and improve supervision while retaining the department’s overall size. He noted that because of retirements, a lieutenant position and a sergeant position have been vacant for a year.
Reclassifying the assistant chief position will save about $3,000, he added.
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The Caledonia Police Department had a total staff of 44 from 2006 through 2010. Six positions were reduced when Caledonia became part of the joint dispatch system and three sworn officer positions remained vacant.
“We’re really pretty stretched,” said Schey. “If we didn’t do any promotions, my command staff would be four sergeants and myself.”
Trustee Lee Wishau said he liked the reorganization, but had concerns about the budget. He noted that the village agreed to retirement bonuses of three police department members last year.
“Because of our budget shortfall, I’m not in favor of hiring this year,” he said.
Schey said he plans to fill all of the positions internally starting in June. The only potential opening – for an entry-level police officer – would come in late summer. That position would fill a vacancy caused by a promotion.
Trustee Gerry Griswold asked if police department cost estimates had been made for 2012. Schey said he anticipated a flat budget for the coming year.
The reorganization was approved 5-1 with Griswold casting the only no vote. Trustee Tom Weatherston was absent from the special meeting.
