By Joe Bachman

The Finance & Property Committee approved a motion to apply for a Legacy Foundation grant to fund a hybrid narcotics detective for the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department on Tuesday night.

The position would take an existing officer on the force and utilize them as a hybrid narcotics detective with help from grant funds. The grant amount needed is in the amount of $52,012.76. The amount is to cover the difference in pay between a patrol officer and a narcotics detective, as well taking into account overtime and additional equipment over a four year span.

“It’s more of a hybrid community resource oriented detective position,” said Chief of Police Kurt Heuer. “[they] will help individuals that have an opiate heroin addiction — this particular position that we would like to be able to apply for would be more of a community resource and outreach — connecting people that need treatment, and helping families.”

The proposed position is created to continue efforts to combat heroin and opiate use in the area. The position will see annual evaluation by Wisconsin Rapids Police Department Command, and results will be shared with the Task Force and Legacy Foundation members.

If the grant is approved, the hybrid narcotics position would play an active role in assisting the two current narcotics detectives, as well as playing a vital role in curbing opiate use within the community.