General Information

The Police and Fire Commission consists of five citizens. No more than three members of the Commission shall belong to the same political party. The Police and Fire Commission has determined that an attorney who practices criminal law is ineligible for appointment because of a possible conflict of interest.

The City Council.

Five years.

• Police & Fire Commissions are authorized and mandated by state law for the purpose of providing uniform regulation of police, fire, and combined protective service departments.

   

• Police and Fire Commissions are intended to keep politics out of personnel decisions, ensure that hiring is done on merit and any discipline is conducted fairly by an impartial citizen board, and hear and review citizen complaints.

Essential Functions of a Police & Fire Commission – The PFC is essentially a civil service body with exclusive jurisdiction over:

• Hiring of department chiefs;

• Approving eligibility lists for appointment of police officers and firefighters;

• Approving all promotions of personnel recommended by the department chiefs;

• Receiving and reviewing citizen complaints;

• Hearing formal charges filed against department chiefs, firefighters and police officers; and

• As warranted, disciplining police officers, firefighters, and department chiefs.

The PFC does not establish policy or direct operations for police or fire departments.  This is done by the chiefs with review by the City Manager consistent with the budgets, ordinances, and legislative strategic goals of the City Council.

Who Can Serve on a Police & Fire Commission

• Five (5) citizens sit on the Eau Claire Police and Fire Commission.

• Commission members are recommended for appointment to the Committee on Appointments by the City Manager. The Committee on Appointments of the City Council then reviews and brings forth candidates to the full City Council for approval and appointment.

• In order to express interest in serving on the PFC, a citizen should fill out a Citizen Resource Bank Form. Interest forms are maintained for three (3) years.

Membership

PFC Resources 

• https://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/2019/chapter-62/section-62-13/

• PFC Policies & Procedures Manual