Owen-Withee Police Department Looking for Public's Opinion on Hiring 3rd Full-Time Officer

Thursday, December 10th, 2020 -- 9:03 AM

-The Owen-Withee Police Department is looking for the public’s opinion in passing a referendum for the addition of a 3rd full-time officer to better assist them with the ever-growing number of calls  for services in Owen-Withee.

According to a release from the Owen-Withee Police Department, there were 901 calls of service in the last 12 months alone. The move will allow the department to continue increasing the quality of living for the citizens in the community by providing extra hours to more proactively police the area.  The law enforcement world of employment has become highly competitive across the state as less people are choosing to work in the field. Hiring a full-time officer will help retain them as part time officers use this employment as a stepping stone until finding full time employment elsewhere.  The cost of hiring, equipping, and training new officers every time a part time officer left would be more than retaining a full-time employee.

Hiring a third full-time officer would allow the department to avoid the expenses related to training new part time hires as well as providing uniforms and needed equipment.  The addition of the position at the police department, with the current population in the City of  Owen of approximately 940 residents, would increase property taxes at a rate of approximately  $21.18 per citizen per year or $1.77 per citizen per month. That dollar amount would be  $19,910 annually for Owen’s 2/3 share of the police department.

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