Weston Municipal Building. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WESTON, WI (WSAU) — Plans to merge the Everest Metro and Rothschild Police Departments will be considered by Supervisors in both communities later this month.
Rothschild Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle says the discussions have been met with optimism and excitement, meaning both communities are confident that the merger will go through. “There has been a lot of great teamwork and collaboration already and we are excited to bring that into a larger department. Both Village Boards have been tremendous, the structure behind it has been positive, [it’s brought] an excellent foundation.
“We are excited to see what comes from it. There will likely be some new technology that comes from it, some new equipment for the benefit of the officers in the community,” added VanDeWalle
If approved, the new department would be rebranded as the Mountain Bay Metropolitan Police Department. It would encompass four communities- the Villages of Weston and Rothschild, the Town of Weston, and the City of Schofield. It would also include nearly the entire D.C. Everest School District.
Both communities will also dissolve their Police oversight Commissions in favor of a new Commission and financial committee. The Commission would then be tasked with hiring a Chief of Police and setting the leadership structure for the department. Rothschild Police Chief Jeremy Hunt is expected to be considered for Chief of the unified department.
None of the current officers for either department will lose their jobs or have to “re-apply” for their positions. All officers would also keep their current rank and seniority, meaning detectives would stay detectives in the new department.
Weston Administrator Jami Gebert says the talks have centered on improved service for residents and officers, which is the top priority of every police department. “When people call for help, they just want help. They just want to know it will be there. That’s been the mindset of our committees- we just want to make sure we are providing the best possible service. Whatever that means, we will work through it.”
The communities announced they would explore a merger back in January, just before the retirement of former EMPD Chief Clay Schulz. VanDeWalle and Gebert noted that the combined department would employ around 40 sworn officers, with the majority of them and their support staff working out of the current Rothschild PD headquarters near the Village Hall. The Everest Metro PD building would still be used for storage.
The announcement came Friday from Rothschild Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle and Weston Administrator Jami Gebert. The agreement requires approval from both Village Boards. Weston’s leaders will consider the agreement on Monday and the Rothschild Board has agendized the discussion for March 25th.
If approved the merger would go into effect in April. Gebert noted that a group is already working to design a new badge and logo for the department. Squad cars would likely get re-wrapped with the new identity later this year.
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