New policy in place for Shell Lake police ride-alongs

SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake City Council got an update on the new policy for police ride-alongs from the General Administration Committee at its meeting Monday, Aug. 12.

General Administration (GA) Committee Chair Rob Anderson said Shell Lake Interim Police Chief Mike Jaszcak had asked if the Police Department could conduct ride-alongs. At the GA meeting on Aug. 7, Jaszcak said the benefit outweighs the risk significantly, and adult ride-alongs are not an issue. He said he would do background checks, and the officer providing the ride-along would be off-duty. Jaszcak felt this would be an “outstanding way to promote recruits.”

Committee member Stephen Byrd had asked about the liability, as City Administrator Andy Eiche said the city’s insurance company would not recommend the activity because of this.

During discussion at the GA meeting, Mayor Rowie Hansberger said she did not agree that the benefits outweighed the risks, and there are many other ways a police department can show the public the police experience without a ride-along.

“I am concerned about both the officer and the passenger,” she said. “I don’t believe a ride-along is important to deciding to become a police officer. I also feel it would be unacceptable to drop a child off on the side of a road if an emergency arose. I am not for this one bit.”

She added that there could be concern over false accusations against officers made by the passenger.

Byrd asked if a waiver could relieve that.

“I would like to find a way to make this work,” he said.

The recommendation to approve ride-alongs passed unanimously with the following conditions:

Only the chief of police can perform the ride-along.The chief would be required to do a background check on the passenger.The chief cannot be on duty while conducting the ride-along.The passenger must be 18 years of age or older.The second Shell Lake police squad must be on duty while the ride-along is being performed.

At Monday night’s meeting, Anderson reported the GA’s decision. No further action was taken at the City Council meeting.

In other action, the council:

Received letters of appreciation for the mayor’s civic activities and city administrator and council’s stewardship.Heard a presentation by assessor Nathan Carlson about the coming revaluation, in which Carlson said there has been an increase since 2009, and letters will be going out to property owners soon.Dedicated the Beach House to Council President Ken Schultz (see other article).Heard a report on the Great Shell Lake Get Together, in which 420 people were served, and the city hopes to have another one next year.Received a recycling update.Approved a street-use permit to the Lakeland Family Resource Center for the Lake Run and Fastest Kids Race on Aug. 31.Appointed Chuck Levine to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an alternate.