Wisconsin Board of Police and Fire Commissioners
PFC Board
Summary
Drafted with AI
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page. How this site is made
Wis. Stat. §62.13 mandates an all-civilian, five-member Board of Police and Fire Commissioners in each Wisconsin city with a population of 4,000 or more. Members are appointed by the mayor for staggered 5-year terms; they must be citizens (no law enforcement members permitted). The board has binding authority to suspend, demote, or remove the police chief and all subordinate officers following charges and a quasi-judicial hearing; both parties may compel witnesses via board-issued subpoenas.
It appoints and may remove the chief of police. No independent use-of-force investigative function; the board acts on charges rather than initiating independent investigations. First-class cities (Milwaukee) operate under the analogous §62.50 with a 7- or 9-member board.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | No |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Wisconsin City Police and Fire Commissions
- Citation
- Wis. Stat. § 62.13
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Municipal police and fire departments in Wisconsin cities (mandatory for cities ≥4,000 population; optional by ordinance for smaller cities)