This letter was sent to Nick Reed and read on the Nick Reed show on WHBL. For obvious reasons, the officer must remain anonymous.

Nick, I am an officer on the Sheboygan Police Department. The reason I am writing is to inform you of the incredible blow that Monday's Common Council meeting has delivered to the morale of the members of the Police Department.

Over the past few years we have taken quite a few shots from various alderpersons, the mayor and the Press as you are obviously aware. I feel that we had become somewhat caloused and used to them. What happened Monday has completely shaken the officers on this department. I was amazed today as I heard almost every man and woman I work with express deep concern about their futures and livelyhoods thoughout the day. I found that I was not the only one who had a difficult time sleeping last night. I saw officers and detectives with 15-20 years of experience stressed out and depressed about what lies ahead.

I had many of the officers on my shift coming to me with these concerns. In the almost 12 years I have been here I have never seen anything shake the foundation of the men and women of this department like this has. I know exactly why they feel this way and hope I can express it to you. I have seen the officers that work under me do more and more with less and less for year after year. We have been short handed for most of the time I have been here yet the volume of work has increased tremendously. We are seeing a huge increase in drugs and related crimes and the officers have responded and made me so proud. Patrolmen are doing work that was never before done by them in the past at Sheboygan or in most cities. I have attended a variety of training over the years with officers from departments from across the state and have always been impressed at how far ahead our officers were in most cases compared to other departments.

The officers of the Sheboygan Police Department love this city and it's citizens and I can see the scars on myself and the other officers. A few years ago there was a bad accident at N 15th St. and Geele Av. involving a drunk driver. A young woman was killed and another one seriously injured. I was not involved in the accident scene but most of the night shift at the time was and I recall the impact it had on them. There was a bond that formed between many of the officers and the families of the victims. Several of the officers attended the funeral. Recently, the father of the deceased woman died. This was again a very difficult scene for the officers involved. I remember telling the other officers about it at roll-call that day. It was like a dark shrowd had been pulled over the room. I really realized that day how much the officers truly share the grief in these incidents and feel for the families. Oddly, I was very proud of them that day. There are endless example of this. Just know that when the citizens of Sheboygan bleed, so do we.

I have had numerous officers tell me that it feels like we are unwanted. They can't believe the citizens of this city would abandon them when they are trying so hard to keep them safe. I would equate it to being married and coming home one day to have the spouse you love dearly tell you he/she doesn't want to be married anymore. I have tried to put a silver lining on the situation by telling them that at this point we only know there are 8 or 9 alderpersons that could care less about us or our futures. I have said that I hope to see in the days to come, an outpouring of support for our department from the good citizens of the city. I have asked them to wait and see what happens. I pray that we are not disappointed.

Despite everything that has happened over the past couple years, morale on the department has remained very high. (Another reason I have been so proud of my co-workers.) This one council meeting has devastated the morale of this department to a level I have not seen. I know you and other members of your station will do what you can to bring out the idiocy of this council's idea. I ask that if you choose to mention any of this on the air that you not identify me. But please express our concern to the good citizens of the fine city before it's too late. There is a war out there that most of the citizens are unaware of. I am referring to the drug problem. I fear if this goes through, the members of the Police Department are only going to be the first casualties.

Sincerely, XXXXXXXXXXXX

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