By Kris Leonhardt

Continued from previous edition. Click here for Part I.

Today, the Marshfield Police Auxiliary consists of a mix of individuals with the willingness to serve the community. The group not only provides assistance for areas that might not otherwise be accommodated, but also provides relief in service hours by the department’s officers, saving needed funding to be used elsewhere.

“We range from 18 (years old) to whatever,” Stankowski explained. “Rick Witzel is probably our oldest member. I believe he has been on for 38 years.

“Male and female mix, it’s an age range from 18 on up to retired, from all walks of life.

“Since the inception, we have had about 200 total volunteers putting in about 90,000 hours; it’s probably more than that because the records in the early inception were (spotty), but since we started keeping records that is what we have.”

For some of the members, participation in the auxiliary might fulfill a desire to be a part of law enforcement.

“I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement,” said Stankowski, who once applied to the FBI and made it to Phase 2 testing. “I’ve always had an interest (in law enforcement), and when I moved back to Marshfield I found out about it through the Citizens Police Academy. So, I applied.

“It kind of scratches that itch for me between my day job and giving me the opportunity to still be involved, and still help out the community as well as have some involvement with officers in law enforcement.”

Auxiliary members are currently involved in assisting Marshfield police with traffic and parking control at events, department activities, parades, and athletic events. They also assist with weather watches, lost individuals, and other department activities.

The auxiliary is currently looking for individuals to join the volunteer service.

“We are at about 18 (individuals) right now – mid-20s would be good to make sure that we had coverage for all of the big events like Halloween, Dairyfest, the (Central Wisconsin State) Fair.”

Applicants must be 18 years of age and will undergo a background check, as well as an interview with a panel of auxiliary members.

Once accepted, new members are trained and are subject to a six-month probationary period before becoming a full-time member. Members must then meet a 40-hour-per-year commitment requirement in service hours. These hours include time spent in meetings, training, and volunteering for events.

If you are interested in becoming an auxiliary member, you may pick up an application at the Marshfield Police Department.