Waukesha’s new police chief talks about self, community policing

New Waukesha Police Chief Russell Jack discussed a plan last week in which patrol officers have work stations situated around town, where they can  write reports, do other paperwork and await assignments, instead of returning to the Delafield St. station to perform such tasks.

Jack said a work station already is available at new Fire Station 5 on Summit Ave. and an agreement is being worked out for a work site on or near the Carroll University campus.

Jack said he wants to put work stations in other fire stations on the east and south sides of town.

Another work station is being considered at Mindiola Park on West Ave., he said.

“These are not sub stations which officers are assigned to, but more like drop in sites for officers to do some work and await assignments,” Jack said. “By being there, officers can respond quickly to calls from all parts of town.”

Jack said substations, in which officers are assigned to work from, are expensive to operate.

The closed substation adjacent to the Waukesha Public Library is scheduled to be torn down next year and turned into a library parking lot in 2011, provided the Common Council approves the spending to complete both tasks.

Jack said he is proud of how officers have helped to calm crime in the downtown area.

“I remember what the downtown was like when I was a young officer, new to the force – the drugs,  the crime,” Jack said. “I will never let that return to downtown.”

From his comfortable office in the Delafield St. station, Jack, 42, reflected on his command style.

A tactical officer during recent year, Jack has not had much exposure to the public. Jack said he’s wants to become more of a face in the community once things settle down.

Pictures of his family – wife Chris of 18 years and boys 14 an 12 – adorn his office.

With a staff of 155, Jack said he has a lot of matters to attend to, the main being that many of his sworn and non-sworn staff wants to share ideas with him on department operations.

Jack said he will distribute an interdepartmental survey to gather staff ideas.

Because retired Les Sharrock left the department “in great shape,” Jack said he does not see a need for major change.

Jack described himself as a person who becomes creative through the ideas of others, and there likely will be few tweaks to interdepartmental policies, such as freedom for officers to determine their uniform of the day as determined by weather conditions.