Summary

Police & Fire Commission meeting — focused on personnel actions, citizen complaint, and department operational updates

WausauFeb 23, 20263 min read

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The Wausau Police & Fire Commission met February 23, 2026 with a full quorum. The commission held a closed session to interview a fire lieutenant candidate, review the fire chief’s annual performance evaluation, and consider a citizen complaint against Wausau Police Department officers. The commission re‑agendized the lieutenant interview and directed that complaint materials be forwarded to the City Attorney for recommendation. Fire and Police department operational updates were presented, including the Fire Department's 4th quarter report and outreach, a $3.2 million Congressional spending grant for NTC apprenticeships, recognition of Officer Wade Shnowske receiving a Medal of Valor, and updates on the WMC shelter operations and staff development.

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Police & Fire Commission

Topics discussed

LaborPublic SafetyEducationHealthcare

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Key decisions

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Approved January 26, 2026 meeting minutes (motion carried 5-0).
Convened into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to interview one candidate for promotion to Lieutenant, review the Fire Chief's annual performance evaluation, and consider a citizen complaint against Wausau Police Department officers.
Re‑agendized the interview for promotion to Lieutenant with the Wausau Fire Department to the March 23, 2026 meeting (motion carried 5-0).
Directed Captain Pauls to forward all documents pertaining to the citizen complaint to the City Attorney for a recommendation; the matter will be re‑agendized for the March 23, 2026 meeting.
Set next meeting for March 23, 2026 and adjourned at 9:11 AM (motion carried 5-0).

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Meeting information

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Police and Fire Commission Meeting

Feb 23, 2026, 7:30 AMWausau Public Safety Building - Community Room, 515 Grand Avenue, Wausau WI 54403completed

Agenda

1 Call to order by the presiding officer.
I Roll Call
Decision: Call to order by the presiding officer.
2 Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting(s).
I Regular Police and Fire Commission Minutes
Decision: Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting(s).
3 Closed Session.
I Closed Session Pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(c) of the Wisconsin State Statutes considering employment of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility: For the purpose of interviewing one candidate for promotion to Lieutenant with Wausau Fire Department For the purpose of reviewing the Annual Performance Evaluation for the Chief of the Fire Department
Decision: Closed Session.
II Closed Session pursuant to 19.85(1)(f) Considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations, for Consideration and Deliberation Related to Citizen Complaint by J.C.V against Wausau Police Department Officers.
Decision: Closed Session.
4 Open Session.
I Reconvene meeting into Open Session for purpose of potential action upon consideration of Closed Session Items.
Decision: Open Session.
5 Presentations.
I Monthly Fire Department Operations Update: Presentation of current Fire Department activities and 4th Quarter report Update on State Legislature with Community Care Paramedic Update of Congressional Spending Grant
Decision: Presentations.
II Monthly Police Department Operations Update: Presentation of current Police Department activities and updates
Decision: Presentations.
6 Adjournment.
I Next Meeting: March 23, 2026
Decision: Adjournment.