Police Department

Possible Public Safety Referendum – Police Department

The Police Department is requesting funding through the possible referendum to address operational challenges as a result of staffing shortages. These requests are based on call volume trends, population growth, and the need to maintain safe response times.

What’s Being Requested

  • 3 Additional Police Officers— Add 3 sworn police officers (increase from 70 to 73).
    • Helps offset retirements, resignations, and medical leave.
    • Reduces overtime, long shifts, and staffing gaps.
    • Restores the ability to fully staff specialty units (e.g., narcotics task forces, traffic enforcement).
  • 1 Embedded Crisis Worker— 1 full-time mental health professional contracted through Waukesha County Health & Human Services.
    • Responds to mental health crises and wellbeing checks alongside officers.
    • Connects individuals to resources, reduces repeated calls for service, and can lower use-of-force incidents.
    • Improves on-scene coordination with county/private services to resolve cases more efficiently.
  • 2 Part-Time Police Service Aides— 2 part-time, non-sworn positions replacing the former Police Services Technician role.
    • Handle administrative duties, parking enforcement, extra patrol reporting, and equipment checks.
    • Free sworn officers to focus on core policing duties.
    • Create a recruiting pathway to evaluate potential future police officer candidates.

Why These Requests Matter

Key Statistics:
  • Calls for service have increased, and staffing levels have not kept pace.
  • Vacancies, retirements, and training time for new officers make it difficult to maintain optimal staffing.
  • Mental health calls are increasing and require a specialized response.
  • Shifting administrative work away from sworn officers allows them to focus on core policing duties.


Supporting Documentation

NBPD Referendum Information (PDF) NBPD Statistics (PDF)


Next Steps

This item remains under consideration by the Common Council. It was discussed at the Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, August 14, 2025, with no action taken. The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Meeting & Agenda Portal

For questions or feedback, please email citizencomments@newberlin.org.

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