Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Dan Mauel, who had been interim police chief for three months, was permanently named to that post by the Shawano Police and Fire Commission this week.
Dan Mauel didn’t make any secret of his long-term career goal back in 1990 when he was a 19-year-old being interviewed by the Shawano Police and Fire Commission for an officer post.
“They asked me what my goals were if I was hired and I said, ‘Well, I’d like to be police chief by the time I’m 35.’”
It took a decade and some change longer than that, but Mauel got there.
After serving for three months as interim chief, Mauel on Wednesday was appointed by the police and fire commission to lead the Shawano Police Department.
Mauel said just working for the Shawano department was satisfying enough, even if he had never become chief.
“As the years went on, I was promoted to lieutenant and I was very happy,” he said. “I always loved coming to work. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t like going to work. Sometimes I didn’t like the people I worked for — a couple of years there — but I always liked coming to work and I still do.”
He had almost given up the idea of being chief.
“I never thought it would happen,” he said. “But I got this opportunity and it kind of came about by happenstance.”
Mauel assumed interim chief duties when Mark Kohl retired suddenly in April.
Mauel said he isn’t planning any immediate changes in departmental operations.
“The advantage I have is I’ve worked here since 1990, and I know what’s going on and what works well and what doesn’t work well,” he said. “I think it’s running pretty smooth right now.”
One thing Mauel would like to review is the department’s command structure, though he doesn’t see it as an urgent priority.
“I’m going to look and see if we can tweak the command structure just a little bit to make it more efficient,” he said. “But I don’t really see an issue with that right now either.”
Mauel said his top priority is getting the department up to full staff.
The police and fire commission this week approved the hiring of one new officer, Michelle Kamba, currently with the Manawa Police Department. She will start in Shawano on July 17.
After that there will be one more officer vacancy to fill.
“We have an eligibility list and will be taking a look at it early next week, and we’ll be moving forward with our next candidate,” Mauel said. “That will bring us up to full staff.”
That is, at least, until someone moves up to take Mauel’s lieutenant position.
Mauel agreed with police and fire commission President Tony Zielinski that the post should be filled from within the department.
“I agree we should always go inside if we can,” Mauel said. “We have good talent here. It’s discouraging sometimes in a small department if you go outside and bring somebody else in.”
Department morale, meanwhile, has seen some improvement in the past three months, though Mauel declined to discuss past issues.
“Morale’s been great,” he said. “They seem happy. The guys are working, they’re getting along. They’re hard-working folks and I’m proud of them.”
Mauel took over interim duties when Kohl was still embroiled in two sexual discrimination suits; one of which has been settled. The other is still pending.
The mood has apparently improved since then.
“It’s a lighter atmosphere,” Mauel said.
“I don’t know what the whole problem was,” he said. “I’m looking forward. We’re all looking forward. I don’t care to look back. There seemed to be some tension going on, and it’s gotten better. I don’t attribute that to me at all. I attribute that to the caliber of people we have here, and we’re all going forward.”
Some of the going forward, however, will mean continuing efforts put in place by Kohl, such as community outreach initiatives and reviving the neighborhood watch program.
The popular RADkids program, which teaches children defensive tactics, will also be back in the fall.
“I’m a big advocate of collaborating with the community, community partnerships,” Mauel said. “We can’t do this alone. We all have to do our part.”
More collaborative efforts are also planned with the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, including a joint citizens police academy, rather than the dueling ones both agencies previously held.
“I would like to thank the Shawano Police and Fire Commission for their confidence in me to lead the Shawano Police Department,” Mauel said. “It is both humbling and appreciated. More importantly, I want to sincerely thank all the fine men and women of our department. They, both sworn and civilian, are the ones who come to work every day to ensure that our community is safe and a great place to live, work and visit.”
Mauel also gave his thanks to the community.
“The support I have received from the community, department and city leaders these past few months has been outstanding and I look forward to serving the community in my new role,” he said.