Police chief's exit brings Hudson's budget issues to the fore

HUDSON, WIS. - Andrew Smith had high hopes for Hudson, where he became police chief in March. In return, the City Council that hired Smith, who came from Minneapolis to the St. Croix River city of 12,700, had high hopes for him, too. But that optimistic relationship ended when Smith abruptly resigned, saying he saw no hope of bringing an understaffed, ill-equipped Police Department into modern times.

"Hudson is literally 30 years, maybe more, behind other areas in the metro," said Smith, 40. He said that population growth, tourism and gang and drug activity strained his 32-member staff -- 13 of them patrol officers -- beyond its limits.

Sgt. Eric Atkinson, who was named interim chief Thursday, said that a shootout and police chase this past weekend involving a 23-year-old Circle Pines man should remind city leaders of the need to update Hudson's Police Department.

Two patrol officers were on duty when the suspect fired a rifle at them and led police on a chase across the Interstate Hwy. 94 bridge to Lakeland, in Washington County, where he shot a resident before being subdued.

Atkinson said Hudson officers have coped with numerous violent crimes lately, including armed robberies and drug-related shootings. "Unfortunately, it's an alarming trend," he said. "We try to assure residents we're doing everything we can."

Mayor Jack Breault agrees that Hudson -- the largest city in Wisconsin's fastest-growing county -- needs to update its Police Department and other emergency services, but he said a state law that limits property tax increases hurts cities such as Hudson. Of last year's $170,000 increase, he said, $90,000 went to health insurance costs and another $40,000 paid raises for city employees.

"It puts you in a bind," Breault said of restrictions on the city's budget. "I don't know where I would cut it, and I wouldn't want to cut it, because I think we're basically running a skeleton-type crew right now."

Breault said the weekend chase shows the need for "mutual aid" when one law enforcement agency calls another for help, as Hudson police did with St. Croix County sheriff deputies.

But Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, said no city government in Wisconsin likes limits on how much revenue can be raised. "No matter how much money you have, it's how you choose to spend it," she said.

Smith said that although he wanted the council to hire three more patrol officers and invest in efficient computer technology, among other staffing and equipment improvements, he was asked to submit a "zero percent" budget for the coming fiscal year.

What's happening in Hudson is evident all over Wisconsin, said Jim Palmer, the assistant executive director for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. He said that more cities are trying to maintain adequate police departments under legislative restrictions while violent crime grows. Statistics compiled by the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance show a 20 percent increase in violent crimes from 2005 to 2006 as well as 743 assaults on law enforcement officers -- a 50 percent increase.

"The challenges confronting local governments when it comes to their public safety budgets is not only an issue of public safety but an issue of officer safety," said Palmer, who said cities should strive for an industry standard of two officers for every 1,000 residents. "More commonly, cities can't keep up with growth, and that's true in Hudson."

In an interview this week, Smith said he came to Hudson thinking he was selected "to take the knowledge and experience I had and create an outstanding Police Department and make it a model for the area." He had worked with homicide and gang crime units at the Minneapolis Police Department, where he's been rehired as a lieutenant.

Smith praised Hudson's police staff and said the City Council "has been absolutely wonderful," but he said city government was unwilling to acknowledge the department's deficiencies. He said he resigned to draw attention to them.

"It's almost malfeasance to stick around and be a part of something that's ineffective," he said.

In a letter to the council dated Aug. 14, Smith said that the police headquarters, housed in the City Hall basement, were "grossly deficient" and outdated technology makes officers "grossly inefficient in the performance of nearly all responsibilities."

He also said that because of understaffing, "no significant drug enforcement is present in the city of Hudson." Additions in technology and staff, including adding an assistant chief to improve supervision, would cost about $400,000, he said.

Bill Knuth, a former council member, said other departments also are hurting. Fire and ambulance services and the city library need money, too, he said.

Knuth said it's been traditional for the council to avoid tax increases, but he said the council needs to quickly find more money for essential services. "I think we just aren't recognizing that we're growing," he said.

Breault said he was disappointed that Smith resigned before the council had time to address his concerns. He said that everyone on the seven-member council wants to improve the police force but can't make financial commitments until the Wisconsin Legislature decides what, if any, property taxes can be assessed.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf said in a letter to the Hudson City Council that if property tax limitations are again signed into law, cities can ask voters to approve additional increases.

Breault said he thought the council would favor a referendum. The only other way to raise more money -- a clause in the law allowing cities to increase property taxes equal to the rate of new construction -- doesn't help Hudson because of a downturn in residential housing, he said.

Smith came to Hudson after the 35-year tenure of Richard Trende, who retired. Another chief, Jim Coan, worked only three weeks before the city hired Smith. Coan left for personal reasons and not because he was unhappy about police funding, Breault said.

Alderman Scot O'Malley said Smith was "an excellent police chief" but said he chose to run from the budget challenge rather than deal with it. "He wasn't denied any budget requests by the City Council, because he didn't stay long enough to make any," O'Malley said.

Breault said he was sad to see Smith, who was paid a $90,000 annual salary, leave Hudson.

"He was a great leader, and he raised the morale in the Police Department distinctively," Breault said. "I think he really would have been something for this city."

Star Tribune staff writer Myron P. Medcalf contributed to this report. Kevin Giles • 612-673-7707

Kevin Giles • kgiles@startribune.com