About the West Bend Crime Prevention Patrol
What We Do
The Crime Prevention Patrol operates under the direction of the West Bend Police Department. Crime Prevention Patrol members are unsworn volunteers who have no arrest powers. The patrol members are subject to the chain of command with the president serving as the captain; the vice-president as lieutenant; the treasurer as sergeant, and the secretary as a sergeant. There is a sergeant-at-arms for meetings and other activities. These executive positions are elected within the Patrol. New members are subject to a one-year probationary period.
The Crime Prevention Patrol has three advisors from the sworn officer ranks; Lt. Rich Lucka, Officer Gail Trapp and Officer Brandon Knepprath.
As a highly visible organization within the West Bend Community, we assist the Police Department with the following:
- Traffic Control
- Event Security
- Parades
- Emergency Response
- Other Community Events
We have also been called upon to assist with traffic control during Presidential motorcades and with missing person searches.
There are 10 meetings per year - the fourth Thursday of the month - at 7:30 pm. These meetings take place at the Police Department and consist of Patrol business and training. There are no meetings in November and December.
Qualifications
Our members have included women and men from varying backgrounds: service workers, professionals, executives, college students and retirees.
Members must:
- Be 18 years or older and out of high school
- Pass a background check
- Be able to attend monthly meetings
- Have time to donate for the many activities throughout the year
- Be in general good health (some events require standing for periods of time in both summer and winter)
What We Offer
- Training (Traffic Control, OC ("Pepper") Spray, Police Radio Usage, CPR, etc.
- Uniforms (members may be responsible for providing pants and jackets during probationary period)
- Radio/Dispatch Observation
- Squad Observation
- Annual Appreciation Dinner