Wausau committee approves backfill for deployed officer, creates part-time officer program

The Wausau Human Resources Committee on April 9 approved authorizing the police department to backfill a position while an officer is deployed on military duty and voted 3–2 to establish a part‑time officer program that would allow trained former officers or instructors to return for limited hours.

The actions came after Police Chief Barnes described a one‑year deployment beginning in May that will create a staffing gap. He told the committee the city would not pay the deployed officer during the deployment and that backfilling would use savings from that employee’s pay and benefits. “We’re not paying them during that period of time,” Barnes said, explaining the budget rationale for hiring a temporary replacement and training that person so they could be ready for expected retirements in early 2026.

The committee also…