Village takes steps to update police policies

Since joining the Grafton Police Department last month, Police Chief Jeff Caponera has discovered many department policies are outdated and that others should be created.

In response, the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday unanimously recommended the Village Board approve purchasing a subscription to Lexipol, a nationally recognized company that specializes in comprehensive policy and procedure development, as well as training for law enforcement agencies, at a total cost of $20,848.

“When Caponera stepped into his new role, he began reviewing all the documents from budgets to collective bargaining agreements to organizational policies and procedures,” Village Administrator Jesse Thyes said.

“He has since realized that an update is needed, especially in today’s climate, to make sure how the police department conducts its business is up to date.” 

Lexipol also offers risk management solutions for public safety agencies and their local governments, by providing policy solutions, online training, grants and an electronic policy management platform. Lexipol serves 8,100 agencies and more than 2 million first responders. 

Thyes said he believes that some of the village’s polices and procedures were outdated before former Police Chief Charles Wenten retired in September 2019. 

Caponera said it is imperative for law- enforcement agencies to have policy and procedures in place that are national and Wisconsin specific.

The  Village Board is expected to approve the purchase of a 13-month subscription at its meeting Monday, Oct. 19. Thyes said the village will most likely renew the subscription in January 2022 for $9,417.

There is also a yearly renewal subscription fee of $1,425 for the Wisconsin Department of Justice Accepted Online Training and Records Management System, bringing the total yearly renewal fee to $10,842.

The village expects to receive a discount of $912 in its liability insurance premium  after it subscribes to Lexipol.

“The advantage here is our liability insurance carrier recognizes Lexipol and their quality work, which will allow us to receive a discount on our liability insurance premium,” Thyes said.

“Because these are nationally recognized policies that are crafted with good, sound practice and legal vetting behind them, this has a lot of merit to it.”