62.12(8)(a)(a) All claims and demands against the city shall be itemized and filed with the clerk, who shall deliver the same to the comptroller for examination. The comptroller shall within 30 days thereafter examine such claim or demand and return the same to the clerk with the comptroller's report thereon in writing, who shall place the same before the council for action at its next meeting.
62.12(8)(b)
(b) Payment of regular wages or salary pursuant to the budget and salary schedule adopted by the council may be by payroll, verified by the proper official, and filed in time for payment on the regular pay day.
62.12(9)
(9) Loans. The council may loan money to any school district located within the city, or within which the city is wholly or partially located, in such sums as are needed by such district to meet the immediate expenses of operating the schools thereof, and the board of the district may borrow money from such city accordingly and give its note therefor. No such loan shall be made to extend beyond August 30 next following the making thereof or in an amount exceeding one-half of the estimated receipts for such district as certified by the state superintendent of public instruction and the local school clerk. The rate of interest on any such loan shall be determined by the city council.
62.12 History
History: 1973 c. 90,
333;
1975 c. 39,
80,
180,
224,
353,
421;
1977 c. 113 ss.
3,
6;
1977 c. 142;
1977 c. 203 s.
101;
1977 c. 272,
418;
1979 c. 34;
1979 c. 175 s.
51;
1981 c. 20,
61,
93;
1983 a. 27;
1983 a. 189 s.
329 (17), (21);
1985 a. 29,
225;
1991 a. 316;
1995 a. 27,
225;
1997 a. 27;
1999 a. 150 s.
672.
62.12 Annotation
Cross-references: For action upon claims, see ss. 62.25 and 893.80.
62.12 Annotation
For an alternative system of approving claims, see s. 66.044.
62.12 Annotation
Local government units cannot include the value of tax-exempt manufacturing machinery and specific processing equipment and tax exempt merchants' stock-in-trade, manufacturers' materials and finished products, and livestock in their property valuation totals for non-tax purposes, such as for municipal debt ceilings, tax levy limitations, shared tax distributions, and school aid payments. 63 Atty. Gen. 465.
62.13
62.13
Police and fire departments. 62.13(1)
(1)
Commissioners. Except as provided in
sub. (2m), each city shall have a board of police and fire commissioners consisting of 5 citizens, 3 of whom shall constitute a quorum. The mayor shall annually, between the last Monday of April and the first Monday of May, appoint in writing to be filed with the secretary of the board, one member for a term of 5 years. No appointment shall be made which will result in more than 3 members of the board belonging to the same political party. The board shall keep a record of its proceedings.
62.13(2)(a)(a) Except as provided under
sub. (6m),
subs. (1) to
(6) shall not apply to cities of less than 4,000 population except by ordinance adopted by a majority of all the members of the council. A repealing ordinance may be adopted by a like vote.
62.13(2)(b)
(b) A city that creates a joint police or fire department with a village under
s. 61.65 is not required to create a separate board of police and fire commissioners under this section. The city shall create a joint board of commissioners to govern the joint department, as required in
s. 61.65. If the city also creates one separate protective services department in addition to the joint protective services department, the city shall create a separate board of commissioners to govern that department. A city's joint board of commissioners is subject to
s. 61.65 (3g) (d). A city's separate board of commissioners is subject to this section.
62.13(2m)
(2m) Joint departments, contract services. 62.13(2m)(a)(a) A city may create a joint police department or a joint fire department, or both, with another city.
62.13(2m)(b)
(b) A city that creates a joint police department or a joint fire department, or both, with another city under
par. (a) is not required to create a separate board of police and fire commissioners under this section. The cities shall create a joint board of commissioners to govern the joint department. If only one joint department is created, each city shall retain its existing board of police and fire commissioners to govern the separate department. The cities may jointly determine the number of commissioners to be appointed to the joint board by each city and the length of the commissioners' terms. A majority of the commissioners is a quorum. A joint board of commissioners that is created under this paragraph to govern a joint police department is subject to the provisions of
subs. (3) to
(7n), a joint board of commissioners that is created under this paragraph to govern a joint fire department is subject to the provisions of
subs. (8) to
(12) and a joint board of commissioners that is created under this paragraph to govern a joint police and fire department is subject to the provisions of
subs. (2) to
(12).
62.13(3)
(3) Chiefs. The board shall appoint the chief of police and the chief of the fire department, who shall hold their offices during good behavior, subject to suspension or removal by the board for cause.
62.13(4)(a)(a) The chiefs shall appoint subordinates subject to approval by the board. Such appointments shall be made by promotion when this can be done with advantage, otherwise from an eligible list provided by examination and approval by the board and kept on file with the clerk.
62.13(4)(b)
(b) Any person who, on June 23, 1943 has served and acted as a full-time city police patrolman, patrolwoman or police officer performing the services by virtue of regular assignment therefor under the orders and supervision of the chief of police of said city, and receiving his or her salary on the regular official payroll of said police department for a continuous period of more than 10 years, although not regularly appointed from an eligible list, is deemed to have been regularly appointed, as of the time of the commencement of his or her service.
62.13(4)(c)
(c) For the choosing of such list the board shall adopt, and may repeal or modify, rules calculated to secure the best service in the departments. These rules shall provide for examination of physical and educational qualifications and experience, and may provide such competitive examinations as the board shall determine, and for the classification of positions with special examination for each class. The board shall print and distribute the rules and all changes in them, at city expense.
62.13(4)(d)
(d) The examination shall be free for all U.S. citizens over 18 and under 55 years of age, with proper limitations as to residence, health and, subject to
ss. 111.321,
111.322 and
111.335, arrest and conviction record. The examination, including minimum training and experience requirements, shall be job-related in compliance with appropriate validation standards and shall be subject to the approval of the board and may include tests of manual skill and physical strength. All relevant experience, whether paid or unpaid, shall satisfy experience requirements. The board shall control examinations and may designate and change examiners, who may or may not be otherwise in the official service of the city, and whose compensation shall be fixed by the board and paid by the city. Veterans and their spouses shall be given preference points in accordance with
s. 230.16 (7).
62.13(4)(e)
(e) The council of any city of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th class may provide that members of the police force shall be of both sexes. The fire and police commission shall select each police officer from an eligible list.
62.13(5)
(5) Disciplinary actions against subordinates. 62.13(5)(a)(a) A subordinate may be suspended as hereinafter provided as a penalty. The subordinate may also be suspended by the commission pending the disposition of charges filed against the subordinate.
62.13(5)(b)
(b) Charges may be filed against a subordinate by the chief, by a member of the board, by the board as a body, or by any aggrieved person. Such charges shall be in writing and shall be filed with the president of the board. Pending disposition of such charges, the board or chief may suspend such subordinate.
62.13(5)(c)
(c) A subordinate may be suspended for just cause, as described in
par. (em), by the chief or the board as a penalty. The chief shall file a report of such suspension with the commission immediately upon issuing the suspension. No hearing on such suspension shall be held unless requested by the suspended subordinate. If the subordinate suspended by the chief requests a hearing before the board, the chief shall be required to file charges with the board upon which such suspension was based.
62.13(5)(d)
(d) Following the filing of charges in any case, a copy thereof shall be served upon the person charged. The board shall set date for hearing not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days following service of charges. The hearing on the charges shall be public, and both the accused and the complainant may be represented by an attorney and may compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoenas which shall be issued by the president of the board on request and be served as are subpoenas under
ch. 885.
62.13(5)(e)
(e) If the board determines that the charges are not sustained, the accused, if suspended, shall be immediately reinstated and all lost pay restored. If the board determines that the charges are sustained, the accused, by order of the board, may be suspended or reduced in rank, or suspended and reduced in rank, or removed, as the good of the service may require.
62.13(5)(em)
(em) No subordinate may be suspended, reduced in rank, suspended and reduced in rank, or removed by the board under
par. (e), based on charges filed by the board, members of the board, an aggrieved person or the chief under
par. (b), unless the board determines whether there is just cause, as described in this paragraph, to sustain the charges. In making its determination, the board shall apply the following standards, to the extent applicable:
62.13(5)(em)1.
1. Whether the subordinate could reasonably be expected to have had knowledge of the probable consequences of the alleged conduct.
62.13(5)(em)2.
2. Whether the rule or order that the subordinate allegedly violated is reasonable.
62.13(5)(em)3.
3. Whether the chief, before filing the charge against the subordinate, made a reasonable effort to discover whether the subordinate did in fact violate a rule or order.
62.13(5)(em)4.
4. Whether the effort described under
subd. 3. was fair and objective.
62.13(5)(em)5.
5. Whether the chief discovered substantial evidence that the subordinate violated the rule or order as described in the charges filed against the subordinate.
62.13(5)(em)6.
6. Whether the chief is applying the rule or order fairly and without discrimination against the subordinate.
62.13(5)(em)7.
7. Whether the proposed discipline reasonably relates to the seriousness of the alleged violation and to the subordinate's record of service with the chief's department.
62.13(5)(f)
(f) Findings and determinations hereunder and orders of suspension, reduction, suspension and reduction, or removal, shall be in writing and, if they follow a hearing, shall be filed within 3 days thereof with the secretary of the board.
62.13(5)(g)
(g) Further rules for the administration of this subsection may be made by the board.
62.13(5)(h)
(h) No person shall be deprived of compensation while suspended pending disposition of charges.
62.13(5)(i)
(i) Any person suspended, reduced, suspended and reduced, or removed by the board may appeal from the order of the board to the circuit court by serving written notice of the appeal on the secretary of the board within 10 days after the order is filed. Within 5 days after receiving written notice of the appeal, the board shall certify to the clerk of the circuit court the record of the proceedings, including all documents, testimony and minutes. The action shall then be at issue and shall have precedence over any other cause of a different nature pending in the court, which shall always be open to the trial thereof. The court shall upon application of the accused or of the board fix a date of trial, which shall not be later than 15 days after such application except by agreement. The trial shall be by the court and upon the return of the board, except that the court may require further return or the taking and return of further evidence by the board. The question to be determined by the court shall be: Upon the evidence is there just cause, as described under
par. (em), to sustain the charges against the accused? No costs shall be allowed either party and the clerk's fees shall be paid by the city. If the order of the board is reversed, the accused shall be forthwith reinstated and entitled to pay as though in continuous service. If the order of the board is sustained it shall be final and conclusive.
62.13(5)(j)
(j) The provisions of
pars. (a) to
(i) shall apply to disciplinary actions against the chiefs where applicable. In addition thereto, the board may suspend a chief pending disposition of charges filed by the board or by the mayor of the city.
62.13(5m)(a)(a) When it becomes necessary, because of need for economy, lack of work or funds, or for other just causes, to reduce the number of subordinates, the emergency, special, temporary, part-time, or provisional subordinates, if any, shall be dismissed first, and thereafter subordinates shall be dismissed in the order of the shortest length of service in the department, provided that, in cities where a record of service rating has been established prior to January 1, 1933, for the said subordinates, the emergency, special, temporary, part-time provisional subordinates, if any, shall be dismissed first, and thereafter subordinates shall be dismissed in the order of the least efficient as shown by the said service rating.
62.13(5m)(b)
(b) When it becomes necessary for such reasons to reduce the number of subordinates in the higher positions or offices, or to abolish any higher positions or offices in the department, the subordinate or subordinates affected thereby shall be placed in a position or office in the department less responsible according to the subordinate's efficiency and length of service in the department.
62.13(5m)(c)
(c) The name of a subordinate dismissed for any just cause set forth in this section shall be left on an eligible reemployment list for a period of 2 years after the date of dismissal, except that if the dismissal was for disciplinary reasons the subordinate may not be left on an eligible reemployment list. If any vacancy occurs, or if the number of subordinates is increased, in the department, the vacancy or new positions shall be filled by persons on the eligible reemployment list in the inverse order of the dismissal of the persons on the list.
62.13(6)(a)(a) The board of fire and police commissioners shall have the further power:
62.13(6)(a)1.
1. To organize and supervise the fire and police departments and to prescribe rules and regulations for their control and management.
62.13(6)(a)2.
2. To contract for and purchase all necessary apparatus and supplies for the use of the departments under their supervision, exclusive of the erection and control of the police and fire station buildings.
62.13(6)(a)3.
3. To audit all bills, claims and expenses of the fire and police departments before the same are paid by the city treasurer.
62.13(6)(b)
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall apply only if adopted by the electors. Whenever not less than 42 days prior to a regular city election a petition therefor, conforming to the requirements of
s. 8.40 and signed by electors equal in number to not less than 20% of the total vote cast in the city for governor at the last general election, shall be filed with the clerk as provided in
s. 8.37, the clerk shall give notice in the manner of notice of the regular city election of a referendum on the adoption of this subsection. Such referendum election shall be held with the regular city election, and the ballots shall conform with the provisions of
ss. 5.64 (2) and
10.02, and the question shall be "Shall
s. 62.13 (6) of the statutes be adopted?"
62.13(6m)
(6m) If a city of less than 4,000 population has not by ordinance applied
subs. (1) to
(6) to the city, the city may not suspend, reduce, suspend and reduce, or remove any police chief or other law enforcement officer who is not probationary, and for whom there is no valid and enforceable contract of employment or collective bargaining agreement which provides for a fair review prior to that suspension, reduction, suspension and reduction or removal, unless the city does one of the following:
62.13(6m)(a)
(a) Establishes a committee of not less than 3 members, none of whom may be an elected or appointed official of the city or be employed by the city. The committee shall act under
sub. (5) in place of the board of police and fire commissioners. The city council may provide for some payment to each member for the member's cost of serving on the committee at a rate established by the city council.
62.13(6m)(b)
(b) Appoint a person who is not an elected or appointed official of the city and who is not employed by the city. The person shall act under
sub. (5) in place of the board. The city council may provide for some payment to that person for serving under this paragraph at a rate established by the city council.
62.13(7)
(7) Compensation. The salaries of chiefs and subordinates shall be fixed by the council. Unless the council otherwise provides, in cities of the 4th class rewards for the apprehension of criminals may be retained by the person entitled thereto. Such salaries when so fixed may be increased but not decreased by the council without a previous recommendation of the board. The council may provide that the salaries shall increase with length of service.
62.13(7m)(a)(a) The council of every city of the fourth class shall provide for, and the chief of the police department shall assign to, each police officer in the service of such city one full rest day of 24 consecutive hours during each 192 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that such day of rest not be given at such time. Arrangements shall be made so that each full rest day may be had at such time or times as will not impair the efficiency of the department.
62.13(7m)(b)
(b) The council of every city of the second or third class shall provide for, and the chief of the police department shall assign to, each police officer in the service of such city 2 full rest days of 24 consecutive hours each during each 192 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that any such day of rest not be given at such time. Arrangements shall be made so that each full rest day may be had at such time or times as will not impair the efficiency of the department. This section shall not apply to villages to which
s. 61.65 is applicable.
62.13(7n)
(7n) Hours of labor. Except when a labor agreement under
subch. IV of ch. 111 that governs hours of employment exists, the council of every 2nd, 3rd or 4th class city shall provide for a working day of not more than 8 hours in each 24 except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious emergency, which, in the judgment of the chief of police, demands that such workday shall be extended beyond the 8-hour period at such time; and, when such emergency ceases to exist, all overtime given during such emergency shall be placed to the credit of such police officer, and compensatory time under
s. 103.025 given therefor.
62.13(8)
(8) Fire department. The council may provide by ordinance for either a paid or a volunteer fire department and for the management and equipment of either insofar as not otherwise provided for by law. In the case where a combination of paid and volunteer fire department is provided for, such city shall be reimbursed by the department of transportation, not to exceed $500 for any fire calls on a state trunk highway or on any highway that is a part of the national system of interstate highways and is maintained by the department of transportation.
62.13(10m)
(10m) Rules governing leaving city. Subject to approval of the common council the fire chief may establish rules requiring fire fighters to obtain permission before leaving the city.
62.13(11)
(11) Fire fighters, rest day. The common council of every 4th class city, having a population of 5,000 or more and a fire department shall provide for, and the chief of the fire department shall assign to each full paid member thereof, a period of 24 consecutive hours off duty during each 72 hours, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious fire, accident or other peril, which, in the judgment of the chief engineer or other officer in charge demands that the day of rest not be given at that time. The provisions of this section shall not apply to cities having a 2-platoon or double shift system.
62.13(11a)(a)(a) The common council, or other governing body of every city of the first, second and third class, whether organized under a general or special charter, having a paid fire department, shall provide for, and the governing power of the fire department shall divide the full paid fire fighting force in the fire department into 2 or more bodies or platoons. Each platoon shall work, or be on duty, alternately an equal number of hours or as nearly so as the governing power of the fire department of each such city decides, but no member of said platoon shall be on duty for a longer continuous period of time than the governing power of the fire department designates, except in cases of positive necessity by some sudden and serious fire, accident, or other peril, which in the judgment of the chief engineer or other officer in charge demands.
62.13(11a)(b)
(b) The hours of duty of each member of the fire fighting force of the fire department in every city of the first class shall be limited to 72 hours in any one week. If any such department shall be on a platoon system of hours of duty, 12 hours may be added to one of 2 successive weeks and such period of time deducted from the previous or succeeding week, as the case may be.
62.13 History
History: 1971 c. 41 s.
12;
1971 c. 213 s.
5;
1975 c. 94 ss.
26,
91 (5);
1975 c. 199;
1977 c. 20;
1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (8) (c);
1977 c. 151,
182,
196;
1981 c. 171,
380;
1981 c. 390 s.
252;
1981 c. 391 s.
211;
1985 a. 135 s.
83 (3), (5);
1985 a. 166;
1987 a. 27;
1989 a. 31,
192;
1991 a. 32,
101,
189;
1993 a. 16,
53,
144,
213;
1995 a. 225,
270;
1999 a. 182.
62.13 Annotation
An amnesty agreement by a city not to prosecute a firefighter for striking, made as part of the settlement of the strike, does not bar a complaint by a citizen alleging a violation because of the strike. Durkin v. Board of Police & Fire Comm.
48 Wis. 2d 112,
180 N.W.2d 1.
62.13 Annotation
A written charge of conduct unbecoming an officer filed by the chief was sufficiently specific when the officer does not object at the hearing. The fact that one member of the board prejudged the case was immaterial when the decision was unanimous. State ex rel. Richey v. Neenah Police & F. Comm.
48 Wis. 2d 575,
180 N.W.2d 743.
62.13 Annotation
In 2nd and 3rd class cities, monthly compensation for purposes of computing a pension does not include employer contributions to the pension fund and health and life insurance. These items cannot be included by a collective bargaining agreement. State ex rel. Manitowoc v. Police Pension Bd.
56 Wis. 2d 602,
203 N.W.2d 74.
62.13 Annotation
Standby time required of municipal police officers by the issuance of a "yellow alert" under which officers were required to leave their names, phone numbers, and locations with the station house and were forbidden to leave the city without permission, did not constitute work or overtime under (7n), since the officers were not confined at the police station and, although restricted in some senses, were basically free to spend the standby time for their own purposes. Theune v. Sheboygan,
67 Wis. 2d 33,
226 N.W.2d 396.
62.13 Annotation
Legislatively created agencies or boards such as city police and fire commissions have the capacity to sue or be sued if that authority is necessary to carry out an express power or to perform an express duty, or if the action arises out of the performance of statutory powers or obligations. Racine Fire and Police Comm. v. Stanfield,
70 Wis. 2d 395,
234 N.W.2d 307.
62.13 Annotation
Review of determinations of fire and police commissions may be had only by writ of certiorari or by the appeal procedure provided by the legislature since the procedure under sub. (5) (i) is exclusive and conclusive. A party failing to commence certiorari proceeding within 6 months of a decision is guilty of laches. State ex rel. Enk v. Mentkowski,
76 Wis. 2d 565,
252 N.W.2d 28.
62.13 Annotation
A labor contract under s. 111.70 may limit the scope of the police chief's discretion under s. 62.13 (4) (a). Glendale Prof. Policemen's Asso. v. Glendale,
83 Wis. 2d 90,
264 N.W.2d 594 (1978).
62.13 Annotation
By imposing an arbitrary and capricious penalty, a board exceeded its jurisdiction. State ex rel. Smits v. City of De Pere,
104 Wis. 2d 26,
310 N.W.2d 607 (1981).
62.13 Annotation
A probationary officer had neither a constitutional nor a statutory right to a statement of specifications and a hearing on a city's decision not to retain him. Kaiser v. Bd. of Police & Fire Commrs.
104 Wis. 2d 498,
311 N.W.2d 646 (1981).
62.13 Annotation
Service under sub. (5) (i) must be personal. Gibson v. Racine Police & Fire Comm.
123 Wis. 2d 150,
366 N.W.2d 144 (Ct. App. 1985).
62.13 Annotation
Because s. 62.13 protects police officers against wrongful discipline or discharge, a police officer cannot state a cause of action by invoking the public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine. Larson v. City of Tomah,
193 Wis. 2d 225,
532 N.W.2d 726 (1995).
62.13 Annotation
A collective bargaining agreement cannot provide for the right to seek arbitration of a discipline decision rather than to seek a hearing before the police and fire commission under this section. City of Janesville v. WERC,
193 Wis. 2d 492,
535 N.W.2d 34 (Ct. App. 1995).
62.13 Annotation
Service of a notice of appeal under sub. (5) (i) is sufficient when served on the secretary of the police and fire commission. There is no requirement that the notice must first be filed with the court. Truttschel v. Martin,
208 Wis. 2d 361,
560 N.W.2d 315 (Ct. App. 1997).
62.13 Annotation
Sub. (5) (i) deprives the court of appeals jurisdiction to review orders issued by a circuit court under sub. (5) (i). Younglove v. City of Oak Creek,
217 Wis. 2d 133,
579 N.W.2d 294 (Ct. App. 1998).
62.13 Annotation
It is unconstitutional to condition continued public employment upon a waiver of the privilege against self-incrimination. An employee may be required to answer questions in a disciplinary hearing when granted immunity from criminal prosecution. There is no immunity for uncoerced false statements made during a disciplinary investigation. There also is no requirement for Miranda-like warnings, which in their absence would require the suppression of all statements made in the disciplinary proceedings. Herek v. Police & Fire Commission of Menomonee Falls,
226 Wis. 2d 504,
595 Wis. 2d 113 (Ct. App. 1999).
62.13 Annotation
A police officer promoted to sergeant, subject to a one-year period of probation, could not be demoted without a just cause hearing under sub. (5) (em). An original appointment is on a probationary basis under s. 165.85 (4) (b). Once that period has passed, no promotion can be taken away without a hearing under sub. (5) (em). Antisdel v. City of Oak Creek Police and Fire Commission, 2000 WI 35,
234 Wis. 2d 154,
309 N.W.2d 464.
62.13 Annotation
A citizenship requirement for peace officers is constitutional. 68 Atty. Gen. 61.
62.13 Annotation
A mayor in a city with a police and fire commission does not have the authority to order a police chief to reinstate a discharged probationary police officer.
81 Atty. Gen. 1.
62.13 AnnotationA firefighter's dismissal violated due process. Schulz v. Baumgart,
738 F.2d 231 (1984).
62.13 Annotation
Police accountability in Wisconsin. 1974 WLR 1131.
62.133
62.133
Ambulance service. The common council may purchase, equip, operate and maintain ambulances and contract for ambulance service with one or more providers for conveyance of the sick or injured. The common council may determine and charge a reasonable fee for ambulance service provided under this section.
62.133 History
History: 1991 a. 39.
