Kelly Bakken offered Altoona police chief position

Friday, February 1, 2019
Brooke Schwieters | WEAU

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- The City of Altoona Police and Fire Commission decided to offer Black River Falls Police Chief Kelly Bakken the police chief position.

According to a release from the city, the offer is conditioned on a satisfactory background check, physical, and on agreeing to the terms of employment.

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ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- Altoona's former chief of police, Jesse James, is officially in Madison serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

On Thursday night, a meet-and-greet event was held to introduce the finalists for the chief job to community.

Meet the Candidates:

Kelly Bakken:

Kelly Bakken is currently the Chief of Police in Black River Falls and has been in law enforcement for 20 years.

Bakken also spent number of years in investigations department.

She says Altoona is a fantastic place with forward-thinking and growth. Bakken adds that it is a great place to raise a family.

Eric Fisher:

Eric Fisher is currently the chief of police in the Village of Poynette, located between Portage and DeForest. Fisher has been there for 20 years, three of them as chief.

He says Altoona is a wonderful community that shows great support to its police department.

Fisher adds community policing is his main focus and wants to grow on what's in place at the Altoona Police Department.

Brian Hagen:

Brian Hagen has been a Sergeant with the Menomonie Police Department for 16 years.

Hagen says the police chief position in Altoona is a great fit to blossom into a leadership role and be near family.

If chosen he hopes to reduce crime in city and continue momentum of the department.

Scott Kelley:

Scott Kelley is going into his 20th year with the Altoona Police Department.

He's been a reserve officer with the Eau Claire Police Department and corrections officer with the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office.

Kelley adds that Altoona is a strong multi-faceted department and he looks forward to leading and continuing to be a part of it.

David Livingston:

David Livingston is a Lieutenant with the Altoona Police Department.

Livingston has 25 years of experience in law enforcement, the last 5 years being with Altoona.

He looks to further professionalize the department with community's help.

Livingston says chief is a pivotal position in the department and the community and he's ready for that leadership step.

On Thursday night the Police and Fire Commission will reconvene to look over comment cards from the meet-and-greet and review the candidate's interviews from earlier in the day.

The commissioner says they hope to reach a decision Thursday night. There is no word when the chosen candidate will be released.

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