New Chief Looking at Ways to Improve Department

Like father, like son — it seems Lt. Kevin Hingiss' career path follows suit with this old phrase.

Hingiss' father is a retired captain from Hales Corners — and one of the reasons Hingiss decided to pursue police work.

"I wanted to get into police work and, I guess everbody says this, but I do enjoy helping people, and ... I guess I didn’t want a job where I have to sit behind a desk," Hingiss said.

Now, after 27 years working as an officer for the , Hingiss will become the next police chief of the city .

Thomas said he's glad to see as the man to follow in his footsteps.

"I'm real excited that it's Kevin … I'm confident that he’s going to continue on and even further the department," Thomas said.

"I feel that I'm ready for that position, I think that Chief Thomas prepared all the command staff for the position and I also feel that there's some things that can be done yet with the department to take it further — take it to the next level — and I would like to do that," Hingiss said.

Working with limited resources

The challenge in moving the department forward is going to be working with its limited resources, but Hingiss said he's helped out managing special events for the city for the last 12 years, "so I think I can use that experience to help face whatever economical (problems arise)."

Hingiss hopes to maintain the department's status as an accredited organization — something that will be re-evaulated in 2013. He also said he plans to look at some community programs the department used to have, and see if there is any way to bring some back given the limited resources.

One such service, he said, would be a school resource officer, possibly staffing somebody full- or part-time with the schools.

"I think the program is very useful, it builds a good relationship between the schools, the police department and also the students … but we have limited resources and we have to use those wisely," he said.

Hingiss will also look at ways to restructure the department and better handle case management, so that officers stay on top of following up with citizens who have placed complaints.

One of the other items Hingiss has on his agenda is to host quarterly meetings that will be open to the public, to discuss whatever topic may be important at the time.

"I want to be very accessible to the officers and the public," he said.

The department is hosting a farewell/welcome aboard party to honor the years of service Thomas gave to this community and swear in Hingiss as the new police chief. The party is at 11 a.m. Dec. 27 in the police community room, and is open to the public.

"From my standpoint, it's an opportunity to reflect on the last 6 1/2 years with the members of the department but also the members of the community," Thomas said.

People interested in attending should RSVP to Barb Roska by e-mailing broska@pwpd.org or calling (262) 268-4262. Coffee and cake will be served.