Police and Fire Commission approves promotion of patrol officer Eric Elby to detective

The Police and Fire Commission on Wednesday, July 15, unanimously approved the promotion of patrol officer Eric Elby to the rank of detective following a closed-session review.

The commission convened a special meeting and, after a brief clarification about a misreported personnel notice, moved into closed session under the cited provisions of the Wisconsin Statutes to consider employment and promotion matters. The chair said the closed session was held "pursuant to sections 19 25 paragraph 1 sub c and f Wisconsin statutes" and that the commission would reconvene under "section 19.85 paragraph 2 of Wisconsin Statutes" to report results.

The chair told the commission that a recent public notice and a social-media post had described a promotion for Chief Eric Jeltema as newly approved; the chair said that was a misstatement and that Jeltema had already been promoted to the assistant-chief level in January. "That was a misstatement," the chair said, clarifying that intra-rank reassignments within the department do not require commission approval.

After the closed session, the commission returned to open session. The chair reported that the commission "unanimously supported the promotion of Eric Elby to the position of detective," and commissioners moved to approve the closed-session report. Commissioner Sherman moved to approve the report and Commissioner Marsh seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with commissioners answering "Aye." The chair confirmed the action.

The meeting concluded with the chair offering congratulations to Elby and adjourning the special meeting by unanimous consent.

What happens next: The commission recorded the approval on the meeting record; no further procedural steps were discussed at the meeting.