Special Operations Officer William Fowler(920) 236-5083 | Email
The Special Operations Unit is headed by Officer William Fowler and is a support unit within the Patrol Services Bureau. The Special Operations Unit is comprised of one Sergeant and seven Community Service Officers. This unit is responsible for coordinating special events that occur in the city of Oshkosh. The Special Operations Sergeant is also the advisor to the Oshkosh Auxiliary Police and Oshkosh Explorers.
Special Events:
Transporting a plane to the
Opera House Square EAA
The Special Operations Unit is also responsible for coordinating with organizers of special events that occur in the City of Oshkosh to ensure the safety of the event with minimal disruption to the city as a whole. In 2007 over 100 special events were held in Oshkosh including concerts at the Leach Amphitheater, cultural and community fests, parades, and races and runs that use city streets.
The City of Oshkosh is one of the leaders in our state for special events. Only Milwaukee holds more events. For this reason, the City of Oshkosh is in the process of developing a comprehensive special events policy. Until that policy is in place, there are several items that a first time organizer of a special event should take into consideration.
Daren the DARE Lion
Holiday Parade
- Will the event use city property, such as a park, street or sidewalk?
This is an important question to ask, as any organized event that is held in a city park uses a city street or requires a street or portion of the street to be closed, which requires approval of the Oshkosh Common Council.
- Who do I contact if I want to hold a special event?
Requests to hold a special event should be directed to the Oshkosh City Manager’s Office. The City Manager will then bring the request to the Oshkosh Common Council for approval. Please be aware of the dates that the Common Council meet so that your request can be presented before the event is held.
- What other events are occurring that may cause a conflict?
With so many events held in our city, resources can be spread thin. This is especially true during the summer months. If the event you are planning will require police service, it is important to know ahead of time what other events are already planned. This information can be obtained by contacting the Special Operations Sergeant at the Oshkosh Police Department.
- Are special Licenses needed?
Events that will serve food or alcohol will require special licenses. These events may also require an inspection by the health and fire departments to ensure that health and fire codes are met.
- What services will the Police Department provide?
For events on city streets such as runs, walks and parades, the Oshkosh Police Department will assist with traffic control. This service is based on the availability of Officers. For this reason, it is important to make your requests as early as possible so that our department can staff appropriately.
In these ways, the Special Operations Unit helps fulfill the mission of the Oshkosh Police Department, which is to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships.
Community Service Officers:
The Oshkosh Police Department employs seven Community Service Officers (CSO). All of the CSOs are required to be enrolled in a law enforcement program at a university or technical college. Each CSO gains valuable experience learning the day-to-day operations of an accredited police department. CSOs work 20 to 24 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer months. The Community Service Officer Program falls under the direct supervision of the Special Operations Sergeant.
The CSO Program provides numerous services for our department as well as for the community. The CSOs play a vital role with the set up, staffing, and traffic direction at almost every special event in the community. CSOs investigate animal complaints, recover found property and assist the Patrol Services Bureau at accident and fire scenes. After comprehensive training, they also provide coverage at the department's Front Desk and fill in for School Crossing Guards.
As a result of the combined experience with our department and their post secondary education, our CSOs have secured full-time employment with the Department of Social Services, the Department of Natural Resources, Probation and Parole, dispatch centers, and as sworn officers throughout the country.
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Auxiliary Police:
The Auxiliary Police is comprised of non-sworn officers who dedicate their time and energy to provide law enforcement services to the community with courtesy and honor. Their focus is on helping the Oshkosh Police Department perform a variety of routine functions that require additional staffing. Auxiliary officers work on a volunteer basis and provide valuable support and assistance to the sworn officers of the Oshkosh Police Department in an efficient and effective manner. Auxiliary officers can be found assisting with crowd and traffic control at special events, responding to emergency situations, providing assistance at our annual Gifts From the Heart Program, and participating in our first ever National Night Out event held on August 7, 2007.
As part of the Police Auxiliary traffic control efforts, the Speed Awareness Program was implemented. This program primarily places speed boards in school zones to aid crossing guards and to inform motorists of their speed as they travel through school zones. If you would like to request the speed board/radar trailer to be placed in your neighborhood to assist with speed awareness, please contact Sergeant Matt Kroening.
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To learn more about the Oshkosh Auxiliary Police , click on the Auxiliary logo. |
 Auxiliary Police members deliver presents to a family for the Gifts from the Heart program |
 Auxiliary Police member directs traffic at the Otter Street Fisheree |
 An Auxiliary Police member demonstrates their vehicle to some "curious" kids at the first ever National Night Out Event |
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Police Explorers:
The Law Enforcement Explorer Program is an important asset for today's youth that allows them to explore the career opportunities offered in the law enforcement profession. The Exploring Program is affiliated with Learning for Life, and each group plans their own activities around the interest of its members. Explorers participate in a variety of training opportunities, community volunteer activities, competitions, etc. There are currently 21 active members, both male and female, ranging in age from 14 - 21 years of age. This diversity provides a great learning environment for those just entering the program and allows the older members to sharpen their skills by teaching the new members. Advisors mentor the Explorers to assist them in the five main areas of Exploring in an effort to increase their knowledge about law enforcement. Officers Matt Harris and Nick Kawleski are the Explorer Advisors along with Special Operations Sergeant Matt Kroening who oversees the Explorer Program. Oshkosh Police Explorer Post #9420 is the only law enforcement post in Winnebago County.
Oshkosh Police Explorer Advisors: |
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Officer Nick Kawleski |
Officer Matt Harris |
If you would like to learn more about the Police Explorers Program, simply click the Explorer logo below:
