Police & Fire Commission Meeting- 8/24/26

The City of Wausau Police & Fire Commission held a meeting on August 24, 2026, focusing primarily on internal staffing and succession planning within the police and fire departments. A key procurement-related discussion involved the initiation of a formal promotional process for the deputy chief position in the police department, designed as an early step in chief succession planning. The process includes candidate presentations, written department assessments, panel interviews, and listening sessions with department staff, with the chief providing the final recommendation. The commission plans to start accepting applications in September, conduct interviews and listening sessions in October and November, and announce the promotion in December, potentially requiring a special meeting. Budget challenges were also discussed, including mandated cuts of approximately 2% for both departments, with strategies to manage these reductions through controlled hiring and operational adjustments. The fire department reported ongoing apprenticeship programs and staffing shortages, while the police department faces significant recruitment challenges with multiple upcoming retirements and a need to fill nine positions. No contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned. The meeting also included routine approvals of minutes and officer appointments within the commission.