Police and Fire Commission Meeting — Minutes
City of New Berlin · Waukesha County · Police and Fire Commission · meeting of Aug 18, 2026 · Minutes
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Police and Fire Commission
MEETING MINUTES
August 18, 2026 - 1:00 PM
Public Safety Building
16300 W. National Avenue
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Piontek called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM
2. ROLL CALL; DECLARATION OF QUORUM; PUBLIC NOTICE
Present: Commissioner Palechek, Commissioner Piontek, Commissioner Buer, Commissioner
O'Donnell
Staff Present: Fire Chief Mark Polzin and Police Chief Jeff Hingiss
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. June 16, 2026 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Motion to Approve
Motion by: Commissioner Palechek
Second by: Commissioner Buer
VOTE:
Motion Passed 4-0
4. COMMUNICATIONS
None
5. BILLS
A. Action will be taken on invoices that were received during the normal course and scope
of business since the last PFC meeting
None
6. OLD BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
None
8. CLOSED SESSION
MOTION: Motion to Enter Closed Session at 1:02 PM
Motion by: Commissioner O'Donnell
Second by: Commissioner Palechek
VOTE:
Motion Passed 4-0
A. The Police & Fire Commission may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis Stat. §
19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance
evaluation data of a public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction
or exercises responsibility, specifically regarding:
B. Consideration of Police Chief’s recommendation to remove personnel from probationary
status - Police Department
C. Consideration of Fire Chief’s recommendation to remove personnel from probationary
status - Fire Department
D. Personnel Update - Fire Department
9. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
MOTION: Motion to Return to open session at 1:47 PM
Motion by: Commissioner Palechek
Second by: Commissioner Buer
VOTE:
Motion Passed 4-0
A. Discussion and possible action regarding Chief Hingiss’ recommendation to remove
personnel from probationary status - Police Department
Motion to ratify the recommendation of Chief Hingiss to end the probationary period for Officer Junior
Rittenhouse and make his appointment permanent, effective September 3, 2026.
MOTION: Motion to Approve
VOTE: Motion by: Commissioner O'Donnell
Second by: Commissioner Piontek
Motion Passed 4-0
B. Discussion and possible action regarding Chief Polzin’s recommendation to
remove personnel from probationary status - Fire Department
No action taken.
C. Discussion and possible action regarding personnel update - Fire Department
No action taken.
10. ADJOURN
MOTION: Motion to Adjourn at 1:49 PM
VOTE: Motion by: Commissioner O'Donnell
Second by: Commissioner Piontek
Motion Passed 4-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael D. O’Donnell
PFC Recording Secretary
Source: City of New Berlin website. First collected Oct 7, 2026.