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Hoelzel named interim police chief

Goke remains in consulting capacity until June 4

By Angie Landsverk


The Waupaca Police and Fire Commission appointed Detective Sgt. Brian Hoelzel interim police chief when it met on May 10.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenges, and I’m looking forward to working with the community and the different organizations and the city council,” Hoelzel told the Waupaca County Post.

The appointment, effective immediately, also includes compensating both Hoelzel and Lt. Geoff Johnson an additional $2 per hour during the interim period due to increased job duties.

The Waupaca Common Council was scheduled to act on the appointment and the recommendation for temporary pay raises when it met on Tuesday, May 17.

If approved, the temporary raises would begin on June 4.

Police Chief Tim Goke will remain in a consulting capacity through June 3, which is when he will retire after a 30-year career in law enforcement.

The commission spent about 30 minutes in closed session last week before returning to open session and selecting Hoelzel as the city’s interim chief.

Hoelzel, a 22 1/2-year veteran of the Waupaca Police Department, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in December 1992.

Prior to joining Waupaca’s department, he worked as a part-time patrol officer in Combined Locks for one year.

Hoelzel started his career here in 1994 as a patrol officer. In 2002, he was promoted to detective sergeant.

A native of Menasha, he graduated from Menasha High School in 1988.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the community that I lived in,” Hoelzel said. “I got into law enforcement because I always wanted to help people if I could.”

In addition to criminal justice, he considered teaching as a career option.

“The law enforcement aspect really interested me,” he said. “I get to do the same things in the community – work with organizations, volunteer as a coach. I really enjoy that.”

Hoelzel is interested in becoming the city’s next police chief.

Since the city’s current policy is to wait until retirement payouts are covered before rehiring for those positions, the police chief position is expected to be filled in the fall.

Waupaca’s Police and Fire Commission has optional powers, which means it will choose Waupaca’s next police chief.

The common council will then approve the appointment.

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