Personnel
Administration
The Merrill Police Department Administration consists of the Chief of Police, Captain, and three Administrative Assistants. The administration is responsible for the oversight of operations for the Dept. which include but is not limited to: the overall administration of the annual MPD budget (Payroll, Purchasing), Scheduling, Policy/Procedure, Records, and the leadership of the MPD. Our clerical staff supports the day to day operations of the Police Department and the Administration more directly.
Administration
Chief of Police Corey Bennett via email: corey.bennett@ci.merrill.wi.us
Captain Dale Bacher via email: dale.bacher@ci.merrill.wi.us
General information requests can be sent via email to corey.bennett@ci.merrill.wi.us
Clerical Staff
Administrative Assistant Marci Rankin: marci.rankin@ci.merrill.wi.us
Administrative Assistant Christine Brahos: christine.brahos@ci.merrill.wi.us
Administrative Assistant Jenny Thorson: jenny.thorson@ci.merrill.wi.us
Patrol
The Merrill Police Department Patrol Unit consists of 12 patrol officers and 4 patrol Lieutenants. The patrol unit is currently working a 12 hour shift schedule with the dayshift working 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and the night shift working 6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. In addition, there is a power shift that works 3:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. One Lieutenant is assigned to supervise each of the 4 patrol shifts providing 24 hour protection to the City.
The patrol unit is the backbone of the Merrill Police Department. The patrol officers perform a wide variety of services to the Merrill community. Patrol Functions that officers are typically involved in are included in the following categories:
- Criminal Investigations- Frauds, thefts, domestic incidents, burglaries, property damage, sexual & physical abuse, child abuse.
- Ordinance Enforcement- Juvenile complaints, noise complaints, animal complaints, disorderly conduct, other ordinance violations.
- Citizen Service- Vehicle lockouts, welfare checks, motorist assists, found/lost items, citizen assists, 911 nuisance calls, escorts, open doors/windows.
- Agency Assists- Assist with Probation and Parole apprehensions, assist Lincoln County Sheriff and other agencies, assist Merrill Fire and EMS, assist Merrill Municipal Court with warrant service.
- Administrative Tasks- Special assignments, training, community presentations, D.A.R.E., bicycle safety, etc.
- Traffic Enforcement- Traffic stops, traffic crash investigations, intoxicated drivers, reckless driving, other driving complaints, parking violations.
Patrol officers use a variety of tools and equipment to help them perform their duties effectively and efficiently. The Merrill Police Department vehicle fleet includes 7 cars including Ford Sedans, Utilities, F-150 Responder, a Chevrolet Tahoe, and three Dodge unmarked vehicles. Also, the patrol unit has two Raleigh bicycles that are used for various patrol assignments. The patrol unit utilizes mobile data computers in the patrol vehicles that can assist in issuing citations and running various checks on people the officers come in contact with.
Lt. Pete Borchardt, pete.borchardt@ci.merrill.wi.us
Lt. Tyler Tesch, tyler.tesch@ci.merrill.wi.us
Lt. Matt Drabek, matthew.drabek@ci.merrill.wi.us
Lt. Robert Caylor, robert.caylor@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Brad Becker, brad.becker@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Dane Mathwich, dane.mathwich@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Joshua McCaskill, K9 Handler josh.mccaskill@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Wyatt Pufall, wyatt.pufall@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Bryan Allen, bryan.allen@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Christina Doering, christina.doering@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Brandon Brost, brandon.brost@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer John Stubbe, john.stubbe@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer John Sass, Johnathan.Sass@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Trevor Asmundsen, trevor.asmundsen@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Brandon Lor, brandon.lor@ci.merrill.wi.us
Officer Alex Shimanski, alex.shimanski@ci.merrill.wi.us
Investigations
The Merrill Police Department Detective unit consists of 2 full time detectives, a narcotics detective and the SRO position during the school year.
Detective Lieutenant Don Seubert supervises the unit and serves as the other general detective assigned to the unit. The third full time detective is dedicated to drug/narcotic investigations and is a permanently assigned position.
The Detective Unit is responsible for investigating major incidents that occur within the city of Merrill. The unit works closely with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department investigators on drug-related investigations and other criminal activity where it is helpful to share information and resources.
Merrill Police Department detectives work closely with other agencies including the Department of Criminal Investigations, especially in drug-related crimes and activity.
The Merrill Police Department joined the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in 2009. The Detective Bureau is involved in internet related frauds and other internet related investigations in addition to all other investigations.
The Detective Unit is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Anyone wanting to provide information regarding recent crimes can do so by calling Lincoln County Crime Stoppers (715)536-3726. Callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a cash reward.
The Merrill Police Department Detective Unit is a member of a multi county task force known as the North Central Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG). Anyone wishing to provide anonymous drug information can do so by calling Crime Stoppers (715)536-3726, The Merrill Police Department (715)536-8311, The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department (715)536-6272 or the statewide drug tip line 1-800-NAB-DRUG.
School Resource Officer
School Resource Officer Jamie Jaeger
The School Resource Officer program is a combined service of the Merrill Police Department and the Merrill Area Public Schools. The SRO was established in 2005 and consists of a uniformed police officer assigned to the Merrill High School and the Prairie River Middle School to work in partnership with the school administration, faculty and students.
The SRO’s primary purpose is to help maintain a safe and orderly environment in which to learn. The SRO also serves as a liaison working collaboratively with others to provide links to law enforcement and other community resources and services. The officer is a law-related educator instructing students and school staff about the law and their rights and responsibilities under the law. The SRO also serves as a role model for youth. Through example and interaction with students, the officer models honesty, fairness, and good citizenship.
Some goals of the School Resource Officer initiative include bridging the gap between police officers and kids and increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement. Also, identifying and preventing delinquent behavior through counseling and referral. The School Resource Officer can provide assistance and support for crime victims located within the school setting and provide information about crime prevention.
The School Resource Officer is a resource available to the educators, parents and students of the Merrill School District.
The SRO as a resource
To Students:
- Friend
- Listener
- Counselor
- Coach
- Positive Role Model
- Answer questions that students have about the law and their rights and responsibilities as lawful citizens
- Assist with student projects
- Early intervention to keep small problems from becoming large problems
- Give safety presentations
To School Staff:
- Provide classroom presentations- Driver’s Ed, Health classes, History, Career Development, Drug & Alcohol education, etc.
- Crime prevention activities- Visible presence in and around school.
- Assisting guidance with specific areas of concern
- Problem-solving school issues
- Investigation of criminal activity on school grounds
- Enforce criminal/ordinance violations in school
- Study school security issues
- Proactive response to problems
To Police Department and Community:
- Improve the image of the uniformed officer in the eyes of the students, parents and community
- Information gathering on criminal activity in and outside of school
- Liaison between Police and School/ Police and parents/ Police and students
- Investigate sensitive crimes involving juveniles and adults
- Make referrals to other agencies- LCDSS, LISO
Why a uniformed officer?
- The uniform represents law enforcement as a whole and helps to bridge the gap between kids and officers.
- Always prepared to respond to law enforcement needs