Page 8 - March 9, 2016 / The Independent-Register
Village taps long-time sergeant to replace retiring police chief By Tony Ends Editor and Staff Writer
ALBANY — Village residents won’t have to get accustomed to an entirely new police chief on Bob Levitt’s retirement April 1. A personnel committee on Feb. 29 offered the position to Sgt. Jim Placek, who joined Albany Police Department as a full-time officer in January 2000. He was promoted to sergeant in 2004, and the village will hold a swearing in ceremony to install him as chief on
for presents at Christmas. Albany police have played important roles in the village’s Tub Run held in June and Yesteryear Weekend and Street Dance, held the Friday before Memorial Day. “I’m willing to work closely with members of the community to continue success of these village events,” Placek said. “Right now I’m doing some job shadowing with Chief Levitt over the next month. “It’s a refresher in the weekly, monthly, yearly responsibili-
Monday, March 14. “I’m excited and really looking forward to serving Albany as chief,” Placek said in an interview last Friday. “I’d really like to push community-oriented policing to an even greater degree, using relationships we’ve already developed with people here,” he said. Popular community-oriented police programs in Albany have included Shop with a Cop, which helps children who need school supplies the start of each school year, and takes them shopping
ties. There is a lot of paperwork – reports, municipal court, memos, emails – a lot of office work.” Originally from Milwaukee, Placek moved to Green County in 1992, working for the Huber Brewery until 1996. He attended the law enforcement academy at Blackhawk Technical College from 1997 to 1998. He also achieved a police associate’s degree from BTC in 1998. He worked for the Monticello Police Department and began working on a bachelor’s degree in public administration at Upper Iowa University. He completed that coursework and graduated in 2007.
The Albany department has had two full-time sergeants, including Sgt. Robert Ritter, and six part-time officers. Part-time officers are used to fill in periodically for full-time officers and to work special events. Placek has already served Albany as officer-in-charge whenever Levitt was absent, taking vacation for instance, or attending obligations for policerelated duties. As police sergeant, Placek also had training and supervisory responsibilities. He and his wife have two girls, ages 23 and 16. The public is invited to Placek’s installation and a reception.
Students show their pride as Students of the Month on Pajama Day
Courtesy photo
Front Row: Brooks Wachholz, Tatum Doescher, Zane Miller, Max Wenninger, Aidan Huffman-Anderson, Karelyn Martell Aspiring Albany Police Chief, Sgt. Jim Placek chats with Lisa Nickols as he pays for gas Villa, and Kaden Zurfluh. at Albany Mini Mart last Friday. Placek is looking forward to continuing, even expanding, Back Row: Priscilla Smith, Gunnar Stephan, Rachel Wildt, community-oriented policing that has characterized village law enforcement under longtime and Carson Brewer. Missing from this photo is Piper Patchen. Chief Bob Levitt, who retires April 1. Tony Ends Photo
Babies of 20142 0
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Welcome these new arrivals born between January & December 2015! KAIYA RUTH CHARLES
LETTY
LUCAS FINLEY SCHWARTZLOW
HALEIGH MARIE JUBIE
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HALEIGH
December 25, 2015 6 lbs. 15 oz. • 20” Child of: Anna Walmer and Andrew Jubie, Brodhead Grandparents: Patricia and Rowland Walmer, Brodhead Peggy & Ron Phillips, Brodhead Jeff and Rita Jubie, Brodhead Great Grandparent: Ann Preston, Brodhead
LUCAS
December 29, 2015 7 lbs. 5 oz. • 20” Child of: Derek & Siara (Winans) Schwartzlow Grandparents: Robert & Susan Schwartzlow Steve & Kim Winans Great Grandparents: Susan Schwartzlow; Fred & Herta Fulton; Joanne Coplien; Carol Peterson
Congratulations to all these families
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KAIYA
December 18, 2015 6 lbs. 10 oz. • 19” Child of: Corey and Brienna Foster, Brodhead Siblings: Levi and Leah Grandparents: Robert and Tammy Powell, Brodhead Tim and Deb Foster, Brodhead
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February 10, 2015 7 lbs. 15 oz. • 20.5” Child of: Katrina Charles, Brodhead Grandparents: Sandra Charles and the late Roberto Charles of Brodhead
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LETTY LEE FOSTER