Muskego police chief seeks council "buy-in" to offer 42nd sworn slot, hire two recruits

At a June 24 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Muskego Police Chief asked aldermen to back a proactive hiring step that would allow the city to offer two candidates a place in a police academy and temporarily increase the department—s authorized sworn complement from 41 to 42.

The request stems from a current shortfall and the timing of academy classes. “I have acquired 2 spots with Waukesha County Technical College, which would bring our total to 42. I'd like to be able to offer 42, individual slots to basically be proactive in the hiring process,” the chief said, explaining that academy recruits typically receive 75% wages while in the academy and that the classes have fixed start and graduation windows.

The chief told aldermen the department is three officers short of the 41-person authorization and that, while the 2025 budget as written should still be underspent even with the temporary authorization, any sustained 42-sworn roster into 2026 would require a budget solution. “I will tell you for 2025, we'll be under budget even with this authorization,” he said, adding that if the department were still at 42 sworn for several months in 2026 the city would need to identify a one-time funding source or other budget adjustment.

Council members pressed for details about recruitment and costs. The chief reported two sworn candidates currently in background checks and about 10 pre‑sworn candidates being interviewed; he said the two academy slots were cancellations he was able to secure. He also described tradeoffs between hiring lateral, experienced officers (who can cost more in wages and accrued leave) and recruiting new academy graduates, who typically cost less in total compensation initially but require training time.

Aldermen asked about potential one-time funding sources and fund-balance levels; the chief and other staff said the city has reserved onetime funds in recent budgets (the chief cited roughly $100,000 set aside as a contingency in prior budgets) and described the city—s fund-balance position as strong.

There was a motion early in the discussion to put the request on the floor, but the transcript records no final roll-call vote on a resolution to authorize a temporary increase; the chief said he currently has the authority to hire if it fits the budget and sought the aldermen—s "buy-in." The transcript records aldermen saying they were "good" or supportive, but no formal vote.

The chief said the academy start dates are time-sensitive (January or July start with a December graduation window mentioned) and that Waukesha County Technical College and other area academies have limited slots that other agencies also seek. He warned the city faces recurring turnover and that keeping a steady pipeline of recruits is a balancing act between experience and cost.

No formal council action authorizing a permanent staffing increase was recorded in the transcript; the record shows discussion and an expressed willingness among some aldermen to support the chief—s proactive hiring plan.

Looking ahead, the chief said he will return with budget recommendations as needed and that the department will ask the council during the regular budget process for any longer-term changes.