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Waupaca police report highlights training, community outreach and rise in fraud and drug incidents
Summary
The Waupaca Police Department’s 2024 report to council emphasized increased training hours, new equipment and community programs; officials also reported higher counts of scams targeting seniors, drug incidents and certain violent investigations.
The Waupaca Common Council received the Police Department’s 2024 annual report April 15, a presentation that outlined equipment upgrades, training expansion, community outreach programs and crime trends.
James Schultz, secretary of the Police and Fire Commission, presented the report on behalf of the department. The report noted investments in equipment and training, including additional ballistic protection, new tasers and a newly outfitted training room that will allow the department to certify instructors and conduct firearms and scenario training in‑house. The department also contracted with a trauma therapist to provide one‑on‑one sessions and post‑incident debriefing for officers.
Schultz said the department averaged 42 training hours per officer in 2024, exceeding the Wisconsin requirement of 24 hours. The department received partial reimbursement for training costs from the state Department of Justice.
On community outreach, the department described programs including Coffee with a Cop, a special Olympics torch run, holiday assistance programs, a new “cops and bobbers” youth fishing outreach, and a mental‑health resource guide compiled for local use. The department also hosted a CSI‑themed class for students and has a community outreach committee to coordinate events.
Crime statistics reported for 2024 included 211 motor vehicle crashes, 1,378 traffic stops, 1,188 citations and 1,140 warnings. Responders investigated 78 assaults, nearly 100 theft complaints, 50 vandalism calls, 72 drug‑related incidents (including overdoses and one overdose death) and 211 property crimes. The presentation singled out a rise in fraud and scams targeting seniors and an increased number of sexual assault investigations, which rose by more than 60 percent year over year.
Schultz said the department continues narcotics enforcement in cooperation with the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and reported seizures of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cash and firearms from investigations. The department also said its full‑time narcotics officer contributed to 49 additional investigations.
Council members thanked the presenter and praised the department’s community connections and work to protect residents. Council discussion included recognition that the department’s outreach and training were factors in positive community safety perceptions.
