MPD SWAT May Join Other Cities if Council Approves

The Muskego Police Department's SWAT team could get a whole lot larger, using the power of partnership with seven other Waukesha County communities.

The Common Council will vote Tuesday night at 7 p.m. on an agreement for the Suburban Critical Incident Team (SCIT), which will provide the city's force with additional monthly training and personnel when the need arises. The cities of Brookfield, Delafield and New Berlin, as well as the villages of Chenequa, Hartland, Mukwonago and Pewaukee would also be a part of the new team.

According to the agreement, the city would be required to pay a yearly fee of $4,000 beginning in 2014. It would be just $150 more than the current annual budget for the SWAT team and ammunition. For 2013, the agreement would require a $1,000 joining fee and a discounted "membership" of $2,000.

In exchange the number of hours of training would increase without incurring as much overtime for the officers in the program, while also providing a mutual response team to each community when incidents arise. Muskego would reduce its tactical officers from 11 to eight, and negotiators would be cut from four positions to two.

Muskego's SWAT team has been in existence since the 1980s, and has recently been involved in standoffs in October of 2012 and June of 2011.

Gas Station Site Could Get New Designation

Additionally, the council meeting will feature a public hearing for a proposed rezoning of the former Shell station at Janesville Road and Lannon Drive. Although the owner of Jay Petroleum has not made a decision on whether he will develop on the property or sell, he is requesting a change to Downtown Revival District.

The 0.24 acre parcel and its triangular shape are seen as potential barriers to marketability of the property, and the owner is hoping the new designation will help make development on the land look more attractive. There is also known contamination on the site due to its use as a gas station, and any future user would have to clean it up under the watchful eye of the DNR.