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Wisconsin Statutes Municipalities (Ch. 59 to 68) § 60.56. Law enforcement

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) General authority. (a) The town board may provide for law enforcement in the town or any portion of the town in any manner, including:

1. Establishing a town police department.

2. Joining with another town, village or city to create a joint police department. If the town board establishes a joint police department with a village under s. 61.65(1)(a)3., the town board shall create a joint board of police commissioners with the village under s. 61.65(1)(b)1.b.

3. Contracting with any person.

4. Creating a combined protective services department under s. 60.553.

(am) If a town board establishes a town police department under par. (a)1. or 2. and does not create a board of police commissioners singly or in combination with another town, village or city, or if a town board establishes a combined protective services department under s. 60.553 and does not create a board of police and fire commissioners, the town may not suspend, reduce, suspend and reduce, or remove any police chief, chief of a combined protective services department, or other law enforcement officer who is not probationary, and for whom there is no valid and enforceable contract of employment or collective bargaining agreement which provides for a fair review prior to that suspension, reduction, suspension and reduction or removal, unless the town board does one of the following:

1. Establishes a committee of not less than 3 members, none of whom may be an elected or appointed official of the town or be employed by the town. The committee shall act under s. 62.13(5) in place of a board of police and fire commissioners. The town board may provide for some payment to each member for the member's cost of serving on the committee at a rate established by the town board.

2. Appoint a person who is not an elected or appointed official of the town and who is not employed by the town. The person shall act under s. 62.13(5) in place of a board of police and fire commissioners. The town board may provide for some payment to that person for serving under this subdivision at a rate established by the town board.

(b) The town board may provide for the equipping, staffing, housing and maintenance of law enforcement services.

(2) Funding. The town board may appropriate money to fund law enforcement services.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Wisconsin Statutes Municipalities (Ch. 59 to 68) § 60.56. Law enforcement - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/municipalities-ch-59-to-68/wi-st-60-56/

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