New leader hopes to build community relationships
By Ryan Spoehr
SLN STAFF
The Police and Fire Commission has selected Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher’s successor, opting to go with Aaron Raap, a 26-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department.
“I think public law enforcement is where my heart is. It’s definitely where my experience is,” Raap said.
Raap has continued to work in law enforcement, but in the private sector. He has spent the past couple years working for Ascension health care in Milwaukee.
At Ascension, is the second in charge of security for several hospitals in the Milwaukee area.
“I’ve stayed in touch with law enforcement officials, even though I’ve been going between hospitals,” Raap said. “I very much look forward to starting in Whitewater.”
Raap said there are two main goals he has as he steps into the police chief role, including getting to know people.
“That includes not just the people in the Whitewater Police Department and in city government, but citizens and residents in the community, neighborhood groups and/or key stakeholders in neighborhoods and people in the university. That’s not just meeting people in the university, but it is establishing relationships with key people at the university,” Raap said. “I also look forward to making relationships with businesses and religious groups in the community.”
For more on the selection, pick up the March 22 edition of the Whitewater Register.
