By Kim McDarison
Members of the City of Whitewater Common Council Tuesday named interim Police Chief Dan Meyer as the city’s full-time police chief.
Meyer, who has served the city as its interim police chief since last December, thanked council Tuesday for his appointment.
Meyer follows former police chief Aaron Raap, who signed a Release and Employment Disposition Agreement with the city, which became effective June 30. The agreement came after an investigation, which was begun by the city, according to information released by the city, in December. The city’s investigation followed an incident which occurred at Raap’s home in Waukesha County last November.
While criminal charges alleging “battery-domestic abuse” were filed by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office late last year, they were subsequently dismissed by Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper, who cited as reasoning, in a telephone interview with Fort Atkinson Online, her lack of a finding of sufficient evidence that there was an intention to inflict bodily harm.
To date, city of Whitewater officials have not shared the results of the city’s investigation with Fort Atkinson Online.
As reported in May, on Dec. 16, 2021, in an updated press release, city officials, noting that they were responding to “a number of media inquiries about the city’s ongoing investigation,” further writing: “the procedure is part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of the organization as a whole, not a criminal investigation. As a result, the internal investigation runs independent from any decisions made by other agencies including Waukesha County’s District Attorney’s Office and will be completed as soon as possible.”
In January, the city released the following information: “The outside investigation in regards to the status of the Whitewater Police Chief is still ongoing. Although we are hopeful for this investigation to draw to a close soon, we do not have any new information to share at this time as we wait for the results.
“When the investigation is complete, it will be reviewed by city officials. Upon the conclusion of that process, we will be issuing an updated press release for the community. The timeline is undetermined and we are very appreciative for the patience of the community and all those involved as we navigate through this difficult situation.”
In May, an item on the city council’s agenda noted the council’s intent to convene in closed session to discuss the terms of Raap’s employment with the city. The council did not reconvene in open session following its closed session meeting.
During Tuesday’s meeting, City of Whitewater Human Resources Manager Judy Atkinson told those in attendance: “As you all know, we had a position to fill regarding our police chief. We went through an internal process because … there was a need to expedite this situation as well as we had a candidate that we knew would fit the bill quite perfectly. And so with this contract that’s being presented to you tonight, we are asking for approval for — the Police and Fire Commission has approved the appointment of Dan Meyer; Dan has been with the city of Whitewater since 2010, and has held many roles within the city, and has grown and developed into the leader that he is today — so, with this contract, I am asking this body to formally approve Dan Meyer as our chief of police for the city of Whitewater.”
The action received unanimous approval.
Minutes approved Tuesday by council from the city’s Police and Fire Commission’s meeting held July 25, stated that the commission approved the extension of a “conditional offer to negotiate a contract” for the position of chief of police with Meyer, “subject to successful negotiation of an employment agreement” with the city.
According to the contract signed with the city, Meyer — who assumed the role of full-time chief Tuesday — will receive compensation of $102,000 annually. The employee will receive salary increases consistent with any across-the-board increases granted to all salaried employees, the agreement states.
Any reductions to the chief’s compensation must first receive approval by the city’s Fire and Police Commission.
The agreement provides for a biweekly transportation stipend equal to the value of 300 miles at the current IRS mileage rate, provided to the chief in lieu of a vehicle, which was previously assigned to the chief. The document states that the vehicle “is of greater benefit to the department if made available to all members of the command staff for use while on duty.”
Additionally, the contract stipulates that the city will pay annual dues on the chief’s behalf to the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association,” along with expenses associated with travel and lodging, allowing the chief to participate in two regional one- or two-day seminars annually.
Benefits include health insurance as provided through participation with the city’s group health insurance program offered to all full-time city employees and term life insurance equal to two times the employee’s base salary.
Upon retirement, the city will provide payment of all costs related to enrolling the employee in the state’s retirement plan, with the exception of any percentage required by the state of Wisconsin to be paid by the state and local government sworn law enforcement or protective occupation plan.
Upon retirement, the city will make available to the chief health, vision, and dental insurance at a cost equal to the monthly premiums accessible to other city employees.
The chief will also receive a clothing allowance of $700 annually to purchase suitable clothing and uniformed attire. The allowance may also be used for dry cleaning and expenses associated with clothing maintenance.
The city will provide the chief with a cell phone and cell phone plan for business use only.
Also stipulated within the agreement, the chief is required to establish residency within 20 miles of the city within six months.
The employment agreement can be terminated by the employee by giving a 60-day written notice to the city manager.
The city’s Police and Fire Commission, once cause is established, may terminate the contract at any time.
Dan Meyer
Kim McDarison photo.
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