The Role of the Police and Fire Commission

These workshops provide an overview of the duties and responsibilities of police and fire commissioners, and a careful review of what is required to ensure legal and effective selection procedures. These workshops are recommended for new and experienced commissioners as well as for police and fire command staff.

In Brookfield, the workshops are held on the same day, one as a morning session the other in the afternoon. Register for either the morning or afternoon session or attend the full day. In Madison the Duties, Powers and Responsibilities workshop only is being held as a morning session.

Duties, powers, and responsibilities (Morning session)
Selecting police and fire personnel (Afternoon session)

How to register.

Who should register

Fire and police commissioners, fire and police chiefs and other executive officers, mayors, municipal attorneys, HR personnel, city council and village/town board members. This program is applicable to both new and experienced officials and commission members.

What past participants have said

My 10+ years as a commissioner have produced many of the same scenarios that were presented today. However, my experience has made this seminar even more valuable. It has made me even more aware of what we have done right and what perhaps should have been handled differently.
I really appreciated the relaxed atmosphere and the encouragement for interactions.
The information in this course is helpful to successfully fulfilling the duties of a commissioner.
I would recommend this seminar, and actually recommend that Commission members return annually.
I learned what I must do, what I can do, and what I cannot do, absolutely.
I learned the latest facts on the role of the PFC. This was very helpful.

Workshop descriptions

Duties, powers, and responsibilities (8:30 AM- noon)

Registration begins at 8:00 am

Brookfield, WI, May 22, 2012
Madison, WI, June 20, 2012

Learn the purpose and role of the police and fire commission, including its powers and duties and the conduct of hearings. We also discuss common commission problems and solutions. Instructors: Scott Herrick, Attorney Herrick & Kasdorf LLP and Claire Silverman, Legal Counsel, League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

Course outline

Why we have a commission
Overview of police and fire services
Powers and duties of the commission
Hearings
Q&A

Typical issues discussed include

What are the powers of the mayor, the council/ board, the commission, and the chief?
How involved with the department should commission members be?
What special challenges face a commission during fiscally tight times?
Who holds the records of the commission and who can see them?
What are the procedures for a disciplinary hearing?

Selecting Police and Fire Personnel (1:00 PM - 4:30 PM)

Registration begins at 12:30 pm
Brookfield, WI, May 22, 2012

Learn effective procedures for recruiting, hiring and promoting entry level firefighters and police officers, command staff and chiefs. Instructor: Neil Strobel, Retired Chief, Merrill Police Department and Doug Williams, mayor and former fire chief, City of Merrill.

Course outline

Hiring
Grooming
Promoting
Q & A

Typical issues discussed include

What should a commission look for in a chief?
What is the impact of federal and state laws?
How to keep entry-level personnel motivated when few opportunities exist for promotion.

General information

To register: You must pre-register. Use the enrollment form (see registration options) and mail or fax (608-265-3163) to the Registration Office; or call 608-262-2451. Fees must be paid with the enrollment or a purchase order or other appropriate authorization sent with the form. All enrollments are accepted in the order received as space is available. You may send a substitute if you cannot attend. If an emergency forces your cancellation from the program, please notify us as soon as possible to allow a person on the program’s waiting list to attend.

Fee: $85, includes instruction, materials, refreshment breaks, CEUs, and non refundable administrative fee of $20. Fee for both workshops: $145 includes all of the above and lunch. For groups of three or more from the same jurisdiction and making a single payment, fee per workshop per person is $65, both workshops per person is $120.

Location/Lodging: The May 22, 2012 program will be held at The Best Western Midway Hotel, 1005 S. Moorland Road, Brookfield, WI 53005. (See map). In Brookfield, rooms are available at the Best Western Midway. For further information call 877-664-3929 or visit the Web site: www.midwayhotels.com

The June 20, 2012 program will be held at Union South on the UW-Madison campus. Rooms are available at www.union.wisc.edu or in nearby hotels.

You and your department are responsible for all travel, food, lodging, and parking costs. You're also responsible for making your own lodging reservations.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

CEUs: 0.3 continuing education units will be awarded for the completion of one of the courses. An additional 0.3 CEUs will be awarded for the completion of both morning and afternoon courses.

CLEs: WI CLEs have been applied for. MN CLEs may be available on request.

For more information call: Susan Paddock at 608-262-2576 or email spaddock@wisc.edu.

Registration options

By phone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

By fax: Print, complete and fax the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.

	Download brochure (Fall 2011)
	Tell a friend or colleague about this program.