Video: New Waukesha Police Officer Sworn In

Do you find yourself driving a little fast in Waukesha? Are you a fan of the rolling “California” stop at stop signs and traffic lights?

Watch out, because with the hiring of two additional police officers, the Police Department is cracking down on traffic violations.

The targeted traffic enforcement program is in effect in February, but officers already have been working with the program on a voluntary basis as of Jan. 1, Police Chief Russell Jack said.

“We have a huge traffic problem in the city of Waukesha that needed to be addressed, numerous violations that result in traffic crashes throughout the city,” Jack said.

Officers will take rotating shifts dedicated to traffic enforcement in the city and will be watching for speeding, stop sign and traffic signal violations.

“These are not the only people doing traffic enforcement,” Jack said. “We encourage officers at any available time during their shift to conduct traffic enforcement.”

The Common Council approved the hiring of the additional officers during the 2011 budget process. The two new officers – David Gawrisch and Michelle Enderle – will begin a 13-week recruit school at Milwaukee Area Technical College before being sworn into office.

Additionally, Darin Wittnebel, was sworn in Monday by the city clerk/treasurer, Tom Neill, due to a turnover in the police department.

The three new officers will be given experience in all areas of law enforcement, so all police officers in the department will be placed on the dedicated traffic enforcement, Jack said.

“The whole goal of this program is to reduce traffic crashes,” Jack said. “We do expect to see a reduction in traffic crashes in the city of Waukesha, which makes our city much more safe.”