The Sparta Police Department serves a population of over 9,500 residents, with 21 sworn officers, one code enforcement officer, and two non-sworn administrative assistants. The department operates around the clock and typically responds to 19,000 or more calls for service each year. The department is involved in various programs and officers have the opportunity to participate in special assignments including the Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit, School Resource Officer, and Bicycle Patrol Unit.

Police Department Services

Bike Patrol

The City of Sparta retains the title of "Bicycling Capital of America" and it's only fitting that the police department utilize bicycles as part of its overall policing strategy. The Bicycle Patrol Unit was revitalized in the spring of 2009 with two new Fuji bicycles and a distinctive uniform.

Officers volunteer to be part of the Unit and perform most of the same functions as their motorized counterparts. Patrolling from a bicycle affords officers the opportunity to interact with the public, promote bicycle safety, and gain access to areas where police cruisers cannot go. The stealth provided by a bicycle also makes it an effective crime fighting tool. The Bicycle Patrol Unit has quickly become one of the most effective methods for policing city festivals, concerts in the park, and various parades throughout the year.

K-9 Unit

The Sparta Police Department’s K-9 Unit consists of Nash, a purebred Belgian Malinois, who has been partnered with Officer Brian James to form a canine team and Kaiser, who is partnered with Lieutenant Corey Johnson.

The canine program was initially funded through a federal grant intended to promote crime reduction in rural areas. This initial funding covered the purchase of Nitro and the team’s training; as well as outfitting a K-9 squad, start-up supplies, and veterinary services. Today, the K-9 unit is funded entirely by donation.

The officer/K-9 partnerships provide the Community with an additional resource for fighting crime or enhancing public service through the canine’s superior senses. The K-9 Unit also serves as a means to promote the Sparta Police Department through demonstrations and other community relation events.

Combined Tactical Unit (CTU)

The Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit (CTU) is a part-time, multi-jurisdictional Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) comprised of officers from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Tomah Police Department, and Sparta Police Department.

CTU was created to handle those rare high-risk incidents that require a unique set of skills and equipment not typically possessed by a patrol officer. CTU is trained and equipped to handle situations such as hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, and high-risk warrant service.

Officers assigned to the CTU are required to attend monthly training sessions and participate in extended tactical exercises. Trainings are conducted at various locations throughout Monroe County including the military installations of Fort McCoy and Volk Field. These installations provide access to advanced training facilities that include live fire shoot houses and the High-Risk Entry Facility. Both locations can visually and audibly record training so they can be critiqued after each session. It is fortunate for CTU to have these locations so close, as other teams must travel much further to utilize these same facilities.

With the exception of the Sniper and Medic, each team member is expected, and able, to perform any function of the other team members; these include breaching, entry, arrest, and perimeter containment. Since CTU members bring a unique skill set to their individual agencies they are often called upon for their expertise to resolve situations where the entire CTU is not needed. This enhances the agency's response and provides a safer working environment for all involved.

Chaplain Program

"Police Chaplains do two things; they help take care of police officers and they help police officers take care of Sparta. Police officers face some pretty special challenges to themselves and their families. The chaplains are here to help them deal with those stressors. We assist officers in lots of tragic circumstances in the community such as fatal accidents, suicides and death notifications.

The program in Sparta began in 2004. There are two chaplains, Randy Larson, and Jef Skinner. We are volunteers and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the department and the community in this capacity. If we can be of help to you, we can be reached through the department. Give us a call.

We appreciate what the police officers do for us in Sparta. Each day they put their lives on the line to protect us. If we can help them do that better, we are honored to serve them in that way."