Hurley police starting operations project

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — The Hurley Police Department is embarking on a project to update its policies and procedures, according to reports at the city of Hurley Police, Fire and License Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Hurley Chief of Police Chris Colassaco said revisions to administrative and operations protocols are always being conducted on an annual basis but that this year the department contracted with Lexipol, a law enforcement policies and training agency, to do a more thorough revision.

“It’s a program that we signed up for to work on them and to revamp them all to make sure they are up to par,” Colassaco said. “We were able to get part of the costs paid with a grant and the remainder was budgeted.”

Policies are the foundation for all operations in public safety agencies, according to Lexicon information. Inadequate, outdated or contradicting policies that don’t reflect current practice can make local governments vulnerable to physical, financial and political risks.

Colassaco and Tiffany Maki, the administrative assistant for the Hurley Police Department, will conduct the work required in the department.

“We’re pushing to redo the whole thing,” Colassaco said. “We are thankful and excited to get going on this big undertaking that will benefit the department and the entire city.”

In his report, Colassaco said that the winter season started the day after Christmas with a lot of visiting skiers and snowmobilers coming into the community. The sudden increase of visitors has meant a lot of revenue for local businesses but it has also kept the department busy, he said.

“Once the snowmobile and the winter season hits, it just gets generally busy everywhere,” Colassaco said. “Our guys are just busier, by far, with all different kinds of stuff.”

A stop sign at the intersection of Division Street and 7th Avenue, that was committee recommended and city council approved in November, will be installed within seven to 10 days, Colassaco said in continuing his report. The fittings for the sign were installed before winter to allow the sign to be installed in January.

The sign will have some temporary lighting to help alert the drivers who frequent the road and are not accustomed to signage at the intersection, he said.

A new police vehicle is now with the department and will be placed into operation once the striping is completed, Colassaco said.

The department will assist the Iron County Health Department and the Wisconsin National Guard with a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Hurley Fire Hall, 405 5th Ave. N. The testing is for anyone age 5 years or older. For information contact the health department at 715-561-2191.

The committee 2-0 recommend approval of two bartender’s licenses that will go on for consideration by the city council at its Jan. 12 meeting. Committee member Stephanie Smith was not present.