The Police Chief told commissioners at the PFC meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, that the department is short of its authorized staffing and that an off-duty officer who was injured will be out "at least till the end of the year," increasing overtime and reliance on volunteers.

The chief said the proposed 2026 budget cuts removed funding for replacing squad cars, adding additional officer positions, wellness visits and the Cellebrite digital-investigations software. "What was cut from my budget was replacing squad cars for next year, adding additional officers, wellness visit, and also the Cellebrite digital investigations software," the Police Chief said. He added the department is exploring alternatives, including talking with other agencies at chiefs' meetings about whether all agencies could contribute toward the software, but acknowledged any shared approach "still would cost the city some money."

The meeting also included acknowledgment of a letter from Port resident Jean Boyer submitted to the police department and the Ozaukee Press urging additional officer positions. The chief did not commit to restoring positions; instead he framed the staffing shortfall as a budgeting and operational challenge linked to the 2026 budget decisions and the recent off-duty injury.

The chief also reported that the department underwent a reaccreditation review in September and was advised it should be reaccredited pending a board decision, thanking Tammy Shepherd for preparing the files. He referenced recent crowds at data center protests and said the department is working on a safety plan for future meetings.

Votes at a glance: the PFC approved the minutes from the Sept. 8 meeting by voice vote after a motion and second; the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.

The commission listed its next meeting as Nov. 8.