Appleton Police Department
Session 8 of the 2024 Citizens Academy was held on May 2 at the Appleton Police Department (APD) headquarters at 222 Walnut Street.
Police Chief Polly Olson presented an overview of the APD, which consists of 114 uniformed officers, 27 civilian staff, and 21 supervisors (17 lieutenants, three captains and one chief). The department responded to more than 64,000 calls in 2023.
Approximately 60 officers work one of two daily 12-hour shifts on a two-week rotation schedule. Officers are assigned to one of Appleton’s three districts: north, south, and downtown. The department includes a special investigations unit, three civilian forensic officers, an embedded health officer, 12 school resource officers, four K-9 officers, two dedicated communication engagement officers, a youth community service officer group (light blue uniforms when on duty), and access to a swat team. Chief Olson said the APD usually operates two or three officers short due to hiring delays. A full statistics report and comments can be found in the 2023 APD Annual Report on the Appleton.gov website.
Appleton’s Investigative Services Unit of 15 officers operates under the leadership of a captain and lieutenant with nine detective/investigators assigned as teams. It is supported by a forensic analyst and three forensic evidence specialists. In 2023, investigators, who are on call 24/7/365, were called in on 80 cases including robbery, homicide, and child abuse/trafficking.
Investigator/Detective Matt Kuether explained, “It’s about getting it right,” meaning that working a case is not always a straight line. He outlined the process of gathering and preserving evidence, forensic analysis, waiting for state crime lab results, and we were walked through two successful 2017 investigations. Interesting takeaways included the use of location cameras. Appleton touts over 170 cameras throughout the city, providing the ability to track drivers and walkers. The cell phone application “Geotime” maps an individual’s location, movement, and contact activity in real time over several days. Both of the 2017 investigations resulted in convictions by trial after four years of investigative work.
Traffic Safety Officer Ryan McCord along with Public Engagement Officer Megan Cash then walked us through a traffic stop, sharing a glimpse of the city’s only unmarked car. An officer will run a license plate check for any red flags prior to approaching. Officers, wearing protective vests, switch on their body cams and prefer to see little movement inside of the car, approaching at a 45-degree angle, which provides the best view of the inside of the car. Drivers who pull over quickly, are respectful in conversation, and show no signs of alcohol or drug use stand a pretty good chance of a warning.
Forensic Evidence Specialist Falynne Gerisch ended the evening outlining Appleton’s evidence processing rooms, drug and gun lockers, evidence security and storage procedures, as well as drug and DNA testing methods. “What I don’t see and what I see” are important questions that must run through a forensic specialist’s mind when processing a crime scene.
Thank you APD Chief Olson and Community Engagement Specialist McKenzy Wagner for arranging informative and interesting examples showcasing our outstanding Appleton Police Department.
