Latest news with #GrandChutePoliceDepartment
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Axon roadshow stops in Grand Chute, showcasing law enforcement technology
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – Arizona-based law enforcement technology manufacturer Axon Enterprise's massive semi-truck pulled into Grand Chute Police Department's parking lot Tuesday morning ahead of its roadshow, giving officers from agencies across the area the chance to get hands-on with the equipment. 'It's up to each agency, whether it's local, county or state, to find the appropriate funds and do those long-term contracts and have the capability to have that latest technology in their hands,' Axon Enterprise roadshow team lead Andrew Padilla said. Amid years of increasing scrutiny for law enforcement, Padilla believes that Axon's products — particularly body and dash cameras — hold a crucial role in transparency and trust for the public. 'It's about capturing the truth,' Padilla said. 'It's going to give you that angle that the officer was seeing, it's going to give you that daytime perception whether the officer is outside, they go into a dark room, they go into a basement, they climb into an attic.' Grand Chute Police Department stands by the significance that high-quality recordings have in the public's eyes, and they are used regularly by officers, according to Corporal Dylan Davis. 'That can be used in court, that can be used in investigations, we can refer back to those notes or body camera video if we have to refer back to a specific statement somebody says,' Davis said. 'The incidents that law enforcement deal with is important to capture and release to our public, as well as in the court process, to help gather that evidence, whether good or bad, to help in our investigations.' Davis was excited to welcome Axon and agencies from across Outagamie County and further-away jurisdictions in Wisconsin, as he hopes that it can help other departments make upgrades to their equipment after trying it Tuesday. 'Maybe if some agencies aren't using that technology, they can come and see how they can implement that in their agency,' he said. The Grand Chute Police Department uses a system of body cameras and Tasers that Axon makes. A development in recent years is that the cameras are synced with squad car lights and sirens, and also the tools on an officer's belt, so that the cameras begin recording as soon as an officer takes action without actually having to physically turn the cameras on. 'Now that we have those automated systems in place, our officers can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about those technologies,' Davis said. 'Technology makes us safer, our community safer, and we like to be able to stay ahead of that.' One item that Grand Chute Police is investing in is the Taser 10, the latest in Axon's line. I got to try it myself. After pulling the safety switch, a quick pull of the trigger is all that it takes, and a laser aids in aiming. With no training, the instructor said I nailed the target, shooting two prongs at least 12 inches apart on the target. User-friendly, accurate and efficiently deployed within seconds, it's officers' chosen tool to safely take an individual into custody who is resisting or running. 'Once our department officers are fully trained up, we're going to move onto the Taser 10s, which Axon has here to demo,' Davis said. 'The Tasers cause what's called neuromuscular incapacitation, so it locks the subject up and allows officers to take control of the subject so that our officers don't get injured as well as the subject.' Axon travels to departments across the country and will be visiting Mequon on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson will retire after more than 44 years in law enforcement
GRAND CHUTE — Police Chief Greg Peterson will retire later this year after 15 years as chief and more than 44 years in law enforcement. The Police and Fire Commission will begin the recruitment process for a new police chief and expects to announce a successor by late summer or early fall. Peterson will remain in his role until the selection process is done. Peterson has served as police chief since 2010. "My tenure as chief has been the pinnacle of a career that has spanned more than 44 years, and my decision to leave the position has been extremely difficult to make," Peterson said, adding that it has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Grand Chute Police Department. Peterson's law enforcement career began in 1980, when he joined the Appleton Police Department as a patrol officer. He had a 29½-year career with Appleton, including 20 months as the interim Grand Chute police chief when the two communities explored the feasibility of merging their police departments. The merger didn't happen, but Peterson said the experience inspired him to apply for Grand Chute police chief in 2010. Under Peterson's leadership, the police department added its first police dog unit in 2011 and its second one in 2019. The department was accredited by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group in 2014 and has maintained that status ever since. In addition, the department has introduced its Community Hotel Intervention Program, a public health vending machine and overdose action kits to combat the fentanyl crisis, an automated license plate recognition system, and a drone-as-a-first-responder program. Tom Dreier, secretary of the Police and Fire Commission, said Peterson has worked tirelessly to advance the development of the police department. "His servant leadership and expertise extends to the overall effectiveness of the department," Dreier said. "The Town of Grand Chute is a better, safer community due to Chief Greg Peterson and the entire Police Department." Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@ Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DukeBehnke. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson will retire later this year
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘The pinnacle of a career': Grand Chute Police Chief retires after 44 years of service, 15 spent with department
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – An extraordinary and long career is coming to an end for Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson, who officially announced his retirement in a release on Wednesday. Chief Peterson started his career in policing in 1980, starting as a patrol officer with the Appleton Police Department, and served in multiple ways for 29.5 years with Appleton. This included a 20-month term as interim chief for Grand Chute amidst potential mergers between the two cities' police forces. Winnebago County discusses future of UWO Fox Cities campus In the release, Chief Peterson said that time revealed he had faith in the 'Grand Chute Police Department's potential to become a model organization,' leading him to apply for the permanent spot, which he earned and became appointed to on April 21, 2010. Under Chief Peterson's guidance, the Grand Chute Police Department came a long way, adding its first K-9 unit in 2011 and second in 2019. The department was accredited by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group and has continued in that honor since. Chief Peteron's tenure also saw the launch of a career development program, providing unique chances to attain higher degrees and offering coaching and employee wellness programs along with the opportunity to attend leadership conferences. The Grand Chute Police Department has also introduced initiatives that have helped fight crime in the area and attack the fentanyl crisis head-on with Overdose Action Kits. In addition, the department added an automated license plate recognition system and a drone-as-a-first responder program. In the release, Dave Tiedt, who served on the Police and Fire Commission in Grand Chute since 1996, credited Chief Peterson's leadership and experience with helping make the Grand Chute Police Department one of the state's finest. 'His professional experience and management abilities have advanced the police department into one of Wisconsin's best,' Tiedt said via the release. He expressed great pleasure in serving in his role, calling it the best of his career while reflecting on the difficult decision to step away. 'My tenure as chief has been the pinnacle of a career that has spanned more than 44 years,' Chief Peterson said via the release. 'My decision to leave the position has been extremely difficult to make.' Peterson credited his and the Grand Chute Police Department's success over his tenure to the people on the force, expressing the force's ability to consistently work towards excellent service and mindset of protecting the people of Grand Chute. 'Without a doubt, the successes we have experienced over the past 15 years can be attributed to these remarkable individuals and the culture of excellence they have created,' Chief Peterson said in the release. Green Bay Metro Fire Department unveils Spring Recruitment Class of 2025, 11 new firefighters Chief Peterson will remain in his role until a selection process for the new chief is completed, expected by late summer or early this fall, as recruitment procedures begin. He finished off by expressing gratitude for the time he's spent. 'It has truly been an honor and privilege to be a part of this team,' Chief Peterson said via the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Shorewood police pursuit, crash; 2 charged, wanted for smash-and-grabs
The Brief Two people have been criminally charged following a pursuit and crash in Milwaukee County back on Feb. 25. The pursuit started when Shorewood police were notified of a stolen vehicle, which was wanted in several "smash-and-grabs." The pursuit ended with the vehicle crashing into the Milwaukee River. SHOREWOOD, Wis. - Two people have been criminally charged in connection to apolice chase of a stolen SUV that started in Shorewood and ended with a crash into the Milwaukee River on Tuesday morning, Feb. 25. 27-year-old Kelsey Oliver, of Florida, faces the following charges: 1st-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (2 counts) Operating a Vehicle to Flee/Elude an Officer, Causing Bodily Harm or Property Damage (2 counts) Resisting or Obstructing an Officer 43-year-old Cachita Smith, of Georgia, faces one count of possession of methamphetamine. What we know According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 25, just after 11 a.m., a Shorewood police officer was near Morris and Capitol when an ALPRS (Automatic License Plate Reader) got a hit on a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was a silver Jeep Wagoneer and showed it was stolen, according to the Grand Chute Police Department, and also wanted in several smash-and-grabs around that area. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The officer followed the vehicle until another squad was able to join in for a high-risk traffic stop. Once the other squad was present, they activated their squad lights and sirens and the vehicle pulled over near Richards and Abert in the City of Milwaukee. The complaint goes on to say that the officer got out of his squad and drew his firearm to conduct a high-risk stop on the vehicle. The driver, later identified as the defendant, Kelsey Oliver, rolled down the window and looked out at the officer. The officer commanded Oliver to turn the vehicle off and throw the keys out of the window, but Oliver did comply and kept asking "what's the problem." The officer issued the command again and, at that point, Oliver put the vehicle in drive and fled southbound on Richards Street. What we know The complaint goes on to state that a pursuit ensued. The pursuit lasted about two miles and involved the vehicle reaching speeds of 75 mph on city streets, speeding through a Walmart parking lot, driving into the oncoming lanes of traffic, and running a stop sign. The pursuit ended when the vehicle drove through a residential driveway and fence, and crashed into the Milwaukee River. The complaint goes on to say that a woman got out of the passenger door, later identified as the other defendant, Cachita Smith, followed by Oliver. Police ordered both Smith and Oliver to stop. Smith stopped but Oliver kept running south along the river bank. Officers checked the surrounding area but were unable to find Oliver at that time, but he was arrested at a later date. When police searched the vehicle, they found multiple credit cards listed to several different people, UnitedHealthcare cards listed to different people, and a marijuana grinder. Police searched Smith, who revealed her State of Arizona Prisoner ID Card. During the search of her purse, officers found three bags of suspected marijuana and pills that tested positive for methamphetamines, per the complaint. The backstory Shorewood police were later contacted by a West Bend detective who said that the suspect vehicle was wanted by several different agencies for smash-and-grabs and that the suspects were originally from Florida. A check of the Wagoneer revealed that it was rented from Enterprise Rental in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was never returned, and was listed as stolen. The Wagoneer was damaged by the pursuit and crash, per the complaint. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News What's next Both Kelsey Oliver and Cachita Smith had their initial appearances in court on March 5. Cash bond was set at $25,000 for Oliver, and $1,000 for Smith. Both are due back in court on March 14 for their preliminary hearings. Court information notes that Smith is also wanted in the State of Pennsylvania, and has a status conference related to her extradition scheduled for March 26. The Source The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office sent FOX6 the criminal complaint. Court information is publicly available on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website.
