Community Programs Coordinator
Dorry Wilner (920) 236-5714 | Email
Community Programs is part of the Planning, Training and Research Division within the Administrative Services Bureau. Community Programs are defined as “community-oriented activities that are outside the scope of traditional law enforcement or crime prevention”. A description of community programs can be found below.
In addition to community programs, the Coordinator acts as a liaison to a variety of community initiatives such as the Oshkosh Diversity Council, the Oshkosh Collaboration Work Group, Oshkosh Area School District REACH Committee, Circle of Support Prisoner Re-Entry Program and the Mental Health Task Force. The Coordinator is also responsible for special projects such as open house events, community surveys and securing federal, state and local grants and other donations from individuals, groups/organizations and businesses that support special projects and/or special equipment needs that are not funded by local tax dollars.
VOLUNTEERS:
The Oshkosh Police Department Volunteer Program provides structured activities for citizens to assist the Department in its performance of its service to the community. Volunteers have the opportunity to give back to their county, state and local community through the hours they volunteer.
 Glenn Steinbrecher (left) fingerprinting a citizen |
 College Students Landscape Beautification Project |
 UWO Students assist with National Night Out |
 Volunteer Judy Lloyd helps set up for Gifts from the Heart |
Volunteers gain valuable insight into the local law enforcement system and how it works. Volunteers have the opportunity to improve the quality of local law enforcement service through their work, attitude and ideas for improving programs. Volunteers are able to employ their own skills and experience under the direct supervision of Department officers and civilian staff. Volunteers assist employees in serving the public through personal interaction, clerical assistance and hands-on activities.
Volunteers assist officers and civilian staff in a wide variety of activities that include:
- Clerical duties such as records maintenance, data entry, materials organization, materials development
- Special events and programs - assist with development and on-site activities of special projects like Gifts From the Heart,
Safety City and Bike Rodeo
- Assist with training activities by role-playing
- Participate in Explorer Post or Auxiliary activities or citizen patrols
- Assist with programs like Speed Watch and Neighborhood Watch
A volunteer is a citizen of the community who provides his or her time and talents to the Oshkosh Police Department, for which the volunteer receives no compensation. Citizens, ages 16 and older, are eligible to become a Department volunteer. All volunteers must complete an application, complete a background check and participate in orientation. All volunteers are subject to Department Policy 134.
Those interested in more information about becoming a volunteer for the Oshkosh Police Department can call the Community Programs Coordinator at (920) 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner.
To learn more about Volunteers in Police Service, simply click the VIPS logo.
CHAPLAINS:
Oshkosh Police Department volunteer chaplains are professionals who are ordained or licensed clergy, commissioned by the Chief of Police, to assist officers by providing spiritual comfort to civilians in a variety of circumstances including but not limited to:
- Victimization by crime and/or abuse
- Injury or death of a family member or other loved one
- Other personal crisis
- Chaplains are also available to officers and other department staff for personal supportive ministry
They receive training in basic police policies and procedures with specific training to assist with death notification and crisis intervention. Chaplains volunteer for specific days and are on-call 24 hours. You may contact a police chaplain by calling the Department's non-emergency number: 236-5700 and request the chaplain on duty.
Police chaplains do not proselytize and are actively recruited from a variety of faith traditions. Some department chaplains are members of the International Conference of Police Chaplains and most attend regional training available through ICPC.
Anyone who desires to know more about volunteering for the Oshkosh Police Department’s Chaplain Program may call the Community Programs Coordinator at (920) 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner
To learn more about the International Conference of Police Chaplains, simply click the ICPC logo.
INTERNSHIPS:
The Oshkosh Police Department does provide opportunities for internships. Internships are designed to provide the student with an opportunity to integrate learned classroom theory and skills with real life experience under the direct supervision of Department staff (sworn officers and/or civilians). These positions are unpaid and are available to students enrolled at post secondary institutions (18 years of age or older). Students are usually in their junior or senior year of study and receive credit for successful completion of the internship from the institution of higher learning.
The Community Program Coordinator will work with the educational institution to determine if their specific internship requirements can be met with assignments available to students. Internships vary from full-time summer assignment (40 hours per week for eight weeks) to part-time special project assignments during one semester.
Traditionally interns are enrolled in criminal justice programs. However, interns from other disciplines will be considered (information technology, marketing/public relations, marketing research, communications, etc.). Internship projects/assignments are designed to meet the educational goals of the student and to complement needs identified by the Department.
Students interested in an internship must complete an application, are subject to a comprehensive background check, agree to sign a confidentiality agreement and abide by all applicable Department policies and participate in an interview with the OPD staff that will be supervising the internship workplace activities. Inquiries and applications should be made at least one semester prior to the anticipated start of the internship.
To explore internship opportunities, contact Dorry Wilner, Community Programs Coordinator at 920 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner
DONATIONS:
The Oshkosh Police Department is a unit of city government funded by local tax dollars. However, the work of the Department requires resources beyond what is provided by the City budget. In addition to federal, state and private foundation grants, donations from individuals, groups/organizations and businesses provide the additional financial resources needed for special projects, equipment and teams such as the Honor Guard.
We encourage citizens to partner with their law enforcement agency by making undesignated donations or donations that will support special programs, projects, or equipment. Endowment or memorial funds may be established in conjunction with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to arrange your donation, please contact Dorry Wilner, Community Programs Coordinator or Chief Scott Greuel.
Checks should be made payable to the Oshkosh Police Department. Donations made to the Oshkosh Police Department qualify as tax deductible under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Beyond financial donations, the Department receives a variety of in-kind or material donations that support unique programs such as Operation Teddy Bear, Comfort Quilts and REACH a Child.
Operation Teddy Bear - UW Oshkosh South Scott Hall residents participate in a "Build a Bear" program
Operation Teddy Bear
The program was initiated by the Telephone Pioneers of America (retired telephone company employees) in partnership with the Wisconsin State Patrol. Donations of teddy bears (and other appropriate stuffed animals) provide a stuffed animal for each squad car to be given by law enforcement officers in an attempt to reduce psychological trauma experienced by young children when they are involved in incidents or traffic accidents. To make a donation of stuffed animals contact Dorry Wilner by email or call 236-5714.
With Wings & a Halo: REACH a Child!
R.E.A.C.H. a Child (Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness)
The Oshkosh Police Department is participating in a new project generously funded by the J.J. Keller Foundation. The Wisconsin Chief of Police Association endorsed this innovative program developed in partnership with children’s book author, Paul S. Gilbertson and his wife Chris.
 Department staff receives R.E.A.C.H. backpacks From left to right: Sgt. Steve Sagmeister, Captain Kurt Schoeni, John Gabbey, Chief Scott Greuel |
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The program is similar to the Operation Teddy Bear program but is geared toward a broader age range of children from toddler to early teen. Red backpacks are filled with 10-12 children’s books that are carried in squad cars to be given by officers (and other first responders) to children they meet in various domestic crisis situations or at the scene of an accident or similar stress-related event. “Through the gift of reading, a child can literally be transported to a happier and safer place than where they may find themselves at the time.” For more information about the REACH program visit www.withwingsandahalo.org or contact John Gabbey or Dorry Wilner.
Comfort Quilts
The Wisconsin Warmers, a quilting group that meets at the Oshkosh Seniors Center provides “person-sized” quilts to the Oshkosh Police Department to be used by officers in situations when a person has been a victim of a personal crime, fire or other situation when a quilt can provide warmth or cover.
GIFTS FROM THE HEART:
16th Annual Holiday Assistance Project Serves 400 Children and Youth
The Oshkosh Police Department completed the 16th annual “Gifts from the Heart” holiday assistance project on Saturday, December 13, 2008 by delivering gifts to 400 Oshkosh-area children. This project is a partnership between the Department and the University of Wisconsin Head Start pre-school program. Head Start provides pre-school education and services at eight centers to children from income-eligible families throughout the Fox Valley area. Head Start Family Support Specialists meet with parents to develop each child’s Wish List. The Wish Lists contain items to meet basic needs such as clothing, outerwear and bedding and a few toys or hobby items.
The Department invites the community to participate in this project by sponsoring a Wish List and purchasing some or all of the items on the lists. Individuals, families, organizations and businesses participate in a variety of ways. Many groups purchase the gifts directly while some hold fundraising events to raise the money to purchase the items. In many cases, businesses set up “gift trees” that allow employees to select an item to purchase. Over 100 individuals and 42 businesses and groups participated in this year’s project by making cash, gift or in-kind donations. Seventy volunteers of all ages gather on the final day of the project to wrap each gift. Department Officers and members of the Police Auxiliary volunteer to deliver the gifts to each home. The Community Blood Center held a blood donation drive at the wrap and delivery site.
A number of local organizations provide similar assistance during the winter holiday season. Anticipating greater levels of need this year, the major assistance providers met early in fall to develop some strategies that would maximize available community resources. Representatives of the Police and Fire Departments, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Head Start, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army and Parent Connection communicated throughout the process to make sure we served as many families as possible. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 area children will receive holiday gifts through the combined programs this year.
The Oshkosh Police Department is proud to sponsor this event each year. The “Gifts from the Heart” project gives the Department a unique opportunity to work with the entire community by coordinating resources to meet the needs of families and children during the holiday season.
You can be part of this exciting event. We’ll begin work on the next Gifts from the Heart campaign in October 2009. Watch the Oshkosh Northwestern and Oshkosh Community Access TV (OCAT) Channel 10 for announcements. The community is invited is invited to participate as donors, sponsors and volunteers. If your group or business would like to schedule a presentation on this holiday giving opportunity, contact Dorry Wilner, Community Programs Coordinator, at (920) 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner.
 Staff from Associated Bank are shown with their donated gifts |
 Volunteers assist with wrapping gifts |
 Officer Mike Kirby, his son, and students from Oshkosh North getting ready to deliver gifts |
 Volunteers shown with a family who received gifts |
Photo Gallery
TOURS/SPEAKERS/DEMONSTRATIONS:
The Oshkosh Police Department is always pleased to serve the community in any way it can. Groups are welcome to reserve a time to come tour the facilities. Speakers are also available for classroom, special groups or club presentations or demonstrations and can be requested to speak on a variety of safety topics. If your group or organization would like to know more about the Oshkosh Police Department in general or one of our special programs below please contact the Community Programs Coordinator at (920) 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner.
Possible Topics of Interest:
- The Citizen’s Academy
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Youth Service Programs
- The Police Auxiliary
- Team Policing
- Crime Prevention Programs
- Gifts and Donations
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 (left and above) Sergeant Steve Sagmeister gives a tour of the Oshkosh Police Department to a local Boy Scouts group |
 Officer Ian Seaholm is shown here with a local Boy Scouts group during a presentation he gave on "being a police officer" |
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RIDE ALONG PROGRAM:
The Oshkosh Police Department offers the Ride Along program to members of the community in an effort to promote a better understanding of law enforcement responsibilities, activities and the work performed by officers. The Ride Along program provides participants with the opportunity to observe and interact with officers during the performance of their patrol duties.
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older;
- A criminal background check may be conducted before a Ride Along is scheduled;
- Ride Alongs are scheduled for four hours (usually starting at the beginning of a shift);
- The officer to whom the Ride Along is assigned supervises the participant;
- Citizen participants may be limited to one Ride Along every six months;
- Ride Along Request Form (available online or at the Department Front Desk) must be submitted to the Community Programs Coordinator and be approved by the Shift Commander;
- Ride Alongs are confirmed to participants at least 48 hours prior to the date scheduled;
- Ride Alongs may be scheduled by calling the Community Programs Coordinator at 920 236-5714. However, a Ride Along Request Form and Release must be completed before participating in a Ride Along.
INTERPRETERS:
The Oshkosh Police Department maintains a list of approved interpreters who assist Officers in the performance of their duties. Some interpreters volunteer their services, however interpreters may be reimbursed for their service upon request.
Interpreters complete an application and orientation process and participate in procedure and policy training that may impact their service to the Department. The Department also maintains contracts with area interpretation service businesses. The basic principles that guide the interpreter’s interaction with the Department and community are:
- Confidentiality – Respecting the privacy of all parties involved
- Impartiality – Not taking sides in any interaction
- Accuracy – Ensuring that the interpretation is faithful to the original utterance and appropriate to the cultural context
- Integrity – Being honest about one’s own skill level and qualifications
- Professionalism – Understands the role of the interpreter and does not deviate from it – conducts themselves in dress, posture and speech in a manner appropriate to the situation and is respectful, courteous and honest.
The Department has active interpreters who assist with Spanish, Hmong, Deaf, Bosnian, Arabic, Kurdish, Indian and German languages.
To obtain more information, contact the Community Programs Coordinator at 920 236-5714 or email Dorry Wilner