Kohler Police Department

From Chief of Police

Year End Report

Every year the Kohler Police Department submits a year end report to the Village Board. That report is open to all to read too and can be viewed by clicking here. Take a look and see what we have been doing for the past year. It has statistics on number of calls and types of calls, as well as identifying some of the special events that we participate in.

Kohler School's Student Drop Off and Pickup

To improve student and pedestrian safety on School Street (from West Park Lane to one-half block east of Church Street) and on Church Street (from Grafton Court to Upper Road including the west side of Orchard Road from Church Street and Orchard Court) we will be posting no parking, stopping, or standing from 7:30am to 4:30pm on school days without permit.  The area will be monitored by the Kohler Police Dept.

The Kohler Police Department is asking that Parents use the school parking lot for student pickup and drop off. This will reduce the traffic obstructions on surrounding streets as everyone attempts to get in and out of the schools during peak traffic times.

School Safety

Based on events in the United States, the discussion of school safety has been a frequent topic as I meet with members of our community. I wanted to pass on that although we don’t openly discuss our response plan, we do have one. Our evaluation of school safety is always on going and we continually adapt to new threats and tactics.

Kohler PD as well as the surrounding agencies have all participated in the Advance Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training also known as ALERRT.  ALERRT has become the standard training in law enforcement. Sheboygan Area Law Enforcement has been training in ALERRT for over a decade.  With the help of the Kohler School District and the training staff from the FBI, Kohler PD and the Sheboygan Sheriff’s Department hosts ALERRT courses here in Kohler. This allows many officers the opportunity to get to know the inside of the Kohler Schools and learn these important tactics.

Our hearts go out to the lives lost and the senseless attacks on our society. If you have any further questions of concerns please contact me at the police department.

Policing in America

After the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020 and the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha on August 23, 2020 many Kohler citizens understandably began to question policing in America.

It is important to the Kohler Police Department that we try to answer the law enforcement related questions asked by our community members. The main questions we have received have been about our use of force policies and de-escalation training. The second has been about systemic problems in American policing. After some reflection on our part, we hope that our answers can be used as a starting point of continued conversations.

To help answer the first question, we have published all of our use of force policies on the Kohler Police Department website. They can be found by clicking here. You will notice that policies have been recently published. This was not due to recent events, but as a part of a new and updated policy manual. The Kohler Police Department’s Use of Force Policy is consistent with most use of force policies found in the State of Wisconsin and is accredited by WILEGA, an independent law enforcement accreditation group. De-escalation training has always been part of law enforcement training and is taught to Officers throughout their academy and career. In the last decade there has been an increase in training focusing on mental illness or those experiencing a mental health crisis. This training is intended to help officers recognize contributing factors to threatening behavior and has reduced use of force incidents. Unfortunately, this does not eliminate the need for all use of force. If necessary threatening or resistive individuals may still be met with force to be taken into custody, to reduce the threat to themselves, others, or if statutorily required.

As we shift to talk about systemic problems in American policing, it’s important to note that police departments are not part of a national system; they are local, independent police departments. Although officers are certified through the State of Wisconsin, each department has their own culture, specific law enforcement priorities, and policies. With that said, the concept of a national systemic problem in American Policing seems unlikely. This does not mean that there are not police departments and communities that have a long history of police problems, however there are also a lot of excellent police departments serving their communities. Until the communities with police problems get involved, have conversations, and focus on facts and real statistics that affect them, there will be no improving those police problems. All police departments in the United States are accountable to their citizens through their locally elected officials. This is by design, and when used properly, this system is the most effective way to hold police departments accountable and make the necessary improvements. Local oversight and support is imperative to having a quality police department. When there is not effective oversight or support, we begin to see the tragic breakdown in the relationship between the police department and the community they serve. This is not a perfect system however it is the best system for community policing. For better or worse Police are a reflection of their community through their elected officials.

At the Kohler Police Department we believe we have a strong relationship with our community. It is our role to take police action on your behalf. We do not act independently but as part of the community. If you, as a resident or a person employed in the Village of Kohler, have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to your elected representative, a Village Trustee, or the Kohler Police Department directly. It is our goal to have every member of our community feel safe and have a trusting relationship with their police department.

Phone Scams

I have received information that the Village residents are getting calls from the Police and Sheriffs Association asking for donations. I just wanted to clarify that this group is not associated with the Kohler Police Department. We are not a member (if membership exists) and do not receive funds or training from their association. If you are interested in supporting area law enforcement with donations, I would encourage you to support the local Shop with a Cop Program or one of our K-9 Programs. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Prescription Drug Disposal

The Kohler Police Department has a secure drug disposal box in its lobby. The box is available for all prescription drugs and over the counter medication in their original containers. The box cannot be used for illegal drugs, needles, syringes, thermometers, or any hazardous materials. The box was obtained through a partnership with Sheboygan County to keep drugs from being flushed down toilets or dumped into landfills. Please utilize the box for any old drugs to keep them out of the wrong hands and to be disposed of properly.

Wisconsin State Statute 341.15(1m)(a) reads: Except as provided in par. (b), and registration decal or tag issued by the department shall be placed on the rear registration plate of the vehicle in the manner directed by the department. In this case the manner directed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is shown in the picture to the left. Please remove all old stickers and have the month in the lower left corner and the current year in the lower right.

The 2nd issue is the tinted covers on license plates. Wisconsin State Statute 341.16(2) reads:  Registration plates shall be attached firmly and rigidly in a horizontal position and conspicuous place. The plates shall at all times be maintained in a legible condition and shall be so displayed that they can be readily and distinctly seen and read.  Although there is some interpretation needed for this statute, Wisconsin Court case law has ruled that this statute applies to any cover placed over the numbers and letters of a license plate. I know they look cool, but please remove any covers over the license plate.

Safe Travels

As the 2023-2024 school year is starting, we want to remind drivers to keep an eye out for pedestrians, yielding to them as they cross at crosswalks or corners. Drivers should also take note of the new signs on School St. The 15MPH speed zone is in affect anytime there are children present and will be strictly enforced.    

Parents and Grandparents, if you are walking students to school please teach them to use the crosswalks or cross the street at the corner. Understanding where to cross will help keep them safe as they grow old enough to walk to school without you.

Vacation Checks

Don't forget that if you're planning to go away on spring break or at any time during the year, that you may have the Kohler Police Department check your house while you're gone. Residents can request a vacation check by clicking here, by stopping by the department, or calling. If you call outside of regular business hours you may leave a message too. In your message include your name, address, duration of your vacation, and any other pertinent information that we may need to know. Some pertinent information may include lights that are on timers, alarms, and names of persons that may stop by or key holders. Any other questions about this service, please call the department.

License Plates

There are a couple of trends that we would like to see not continue on license plates into 2020. 1st is the practice of placing the year sticker all over the license plate. This makes the plate hard to read for Law Enforcement. Also by the year sticker missing in the right corner, it would appear that the plate is not current as officers are scanning the plate. Keep in mind our officers scan hundreds of plates a year, so making it clear that your plate is valid is helpful.

Walk with a Cop Program

The Kohler Police Department will be trying a pilot program of Walk with a Cop. This program is open to any village resident or person employed within the Village of Kohler. We will walk in the Village for 15-30 minutes. We will be prepared to talk about neighborhood issues, village issues, and policing in America.

We hope this program will allow us to better connect with the community. The Kohler Police Department is a reflection of values held by the Village of Kohler residents and its businesses and is only improved by open communication.

As part of the pilot program, we will be scheduling a limited number of walks Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm. If these times do not work for you, please contact our department and we will try and accomodate you. To schedule a walk, please click here and send us an email to express your interest.

Lock Vehicles and Don't Leave Valuables Visible

The Kohler Police Department is asking that you please lock your vehicles and to not leave valuables visible. Over this past summer, there were reports of vehicles being entered and items taken.  In all the reported incidents, none of the vehicles were locked. Currently, we have identified the suspects and are working on building a case to refer them to Municipal Court.

The Kohler Police Department is also asking that you contact us directly at (920) 459-3877, or if no one answers, to call the Sheboygan County Dispatch Center non-emergency number at (920) 459-3112 to report crimes or suspicious incidents as there have been several suspicious incidents or crimes that were discussed on social media, but not reported to us.