GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Despite concern for violence being at an all-time high in the Green Bay area, the city isn’t expected to add any new officer positions next year.
That’s because the department is having trouble filling the positions they currently have.
“Retention of sworn police officers especially is a real problem,” said Chief Chris Davis of the Green Bay Police Department.
It’s part of the reason Mayor Eric Genrich did not add any public safety positions in his proposed budget for next year.
“Certainly no cuts to public safety in this budget,” said Genrich. “We have 187 officers fully funding at that level again in the 2022 budget. We are offering additional assistance to our fire department with of their IT needs, but public safety is a huge portion of every year’s budget.”
The Green Bay Police Department currently has 10 vacant officer positions. That isn’t counting the positions that are hired, but still in training.
“If an officer leaves and vacates a position, if we hire their replacement right then it’s a year to 18 months before we have someone through all the training process to be a fully deployable officer,” said Davis.
Genrich wants to use $2 million of the city’s $23.7 million in American Rescue Plan funds to boost crime prevention and enhance neighborhoods.
Chief Davis says he isn’t sure that money can help with recruitment and retention issues. However, he is hoping it can improve technology and add professional staff employees.
“Like crime analysts or some kind of violence interruption program where we can have a qualified non-sworn employee go out from a little different angle and approach some of the folks maybe involved in violence in our community, try to connect them with resources and try to direct them away from that lifestyle before the bad thing happens.”
In addition to violent crimes, speeding has been a common concern among residents and city council members. Davis says the COVID relief funds might help address that issue with technology upgrades and enhanced data collection.
The American Rescue Act money can primarily be used in five areas. They include supporting the public health response, addressing negative economic impacts, replacing public sector revenue loss, premium pay for essential workers and water, sewer, broadband infrastructure.
