The Marshfield Police and Fire Commission voted to approve the Marshfield Police Department's strategic plan after a presentation by Police Chief Derek. The plan frames the department's mission as to partner with the community to increase safety while reducing crime, and fear through progressive policing, and sets a multi-pillar agenda focused on investing in staff, modernizing facilities and processes, engaging the community and advancing professional standards.

In a roughly 15- to 20-minute presentation, Chief Derek reviewed unchanged mission and vision statements and a three-tier set of core values: the nonnegotiable baseline values (integrity, accountability and dignity), middle-tier values (selfless service and training for success) and aspirational goals around efficiency and community focus. He told commissioners the department plans to expand officer wellness programs (physical, mental and spiritual), strengthen peer support and chaplain services and add financial-wellness elements to the field training officer curriculum to reduce off-duty stress on officers.

On modernization, the plan highlights a proposed new building with collaborative workspaces, secure parking and an updated shooting range; Chief Derek said design work with BKV takes accreditation standards into account so facilities do not preclude future accreditation. The records division was singled out for change: the chief said anticipated changes in records handling and AI use require careful balancing of efficiency and records integrity.

The presentation also covered community engagement efforts, including renewed neighborhood presence, the PEACE program and outreach at public events rather than only downtown foot patrols. Chief Derek said the department is exploring the need for a public information officer to manage increasingly complex messaging and legal obligations tied to social media.

Commissioners questioned whether national accreditation referenced in the plan was tied to the International Association of Chiefs of Police standards and asked about costs and timeline. The chief said accreditation is expensive and likely to take longer than five years but would pay dividends in public trust. Commissioners praised the department's training regimen and statewide alignment of use-of-force instruction as evidence of the department's capacity to implement the plan.

The commission moved, seconded and approved the plan by roll-call vote.