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The City of Wyoming is   quickly finding ways to utilize the  legislative aid going out to cities and counties for public safety expenses. (See listing below.) The council agreed unanimously to direct staff to develop a contract activating a Reserve Cadet Officer program.  

The state grant will help fund tuition costs for law enforcement personnel in training, “cadets’ who agree to work for Wyoming P.D.  The awards are capped at $8,000 annually.

The fine points are being written, to address grade point average requirements and related details.  

Police Chief Neil Bauer told the city council the cadet who qualifies will do volunteer work for 12 hours monthly, helping relieve department officers from numerous duties and chores that a non-POST certified person can still perform.  

“The traditional hiring models will not be successful moving forward” Bauer explained to the council. In addition to a shortage of people entering  law enforcement versus openings— larger cities can pay more, are located in prime areas and have signing bonus money, etc. and are taking the few new officers.

The Wyoming police force had a vacant spot open up this summer,  on top of the officer who exited in December 2022, that is still unfilled.

The cost for the Reserve Cadet program depends on how many interested officers in training are approved.  

The city is receiving $353,136 in public safety monies.  Council member Dennise Schilling noted there’s also funds left over in the police budget because of the eight months of having a vacant post, so he noted there should be no concern about how to finance this.  

Also— seven squad cars are getting car cameras.  

Council approved spending $86,121 on a five year contract for the car cams with Axon and there’s an estimated $18,000 annually after the initial contract for renewals and equipment R & M.  This too is coming out of the state public safety grant.  

The in-car equipment synchronizes with body worn cameras attached to the officer’s person and as the chief put it, “provides an extra perspective” on every incident.  All the digital evidence is compatible and stored in similar fashion.  

Bauer got a unanimous okay to order the cameras.

The other main item on the agenda Tuesday last week, was the moratorium to halt cannabis business applications until the city code can be updated.

The council voted 5-0 to accept a moratorium until 2025.  The city attorney commented that the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will “hopefully” be adding some clarity to the process of opening a cannabis dispensary as the agency comes together.

The moratorium gives the city some breathing room to address where the businesses will be located, hours they can operate, fees for operating permits, etc.

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