Shannon Jasica to head Dodgeville PD

By Rebekkah Priebe 

New Dodgeville Police Chief Shannon Jasica made a name for herself in law enforcement in Chicago and now she brings her expertise to this southwest Wisconsin community.

Jasica was hired in June and for all practical purposes, hit the ground running.  She is hoping her new perspective of policing will be part of the new community she serves.

The chief started her career on the southside of Chicago in 1995. During this time she spent her time dealing with the influx of crime that was prevalent. While the crimes are different now, they are no less of an issue than they were then. After working as a street cop she moved up the ranks. This included working in the detective bureau where she worked in the sex crimes division. Jasica brings a no-nonsense attitude to Dodgeville with a soft spot for kids. 

New Chronicle reporter Rebekka Priebe recently had a chance to sit down with the new chief and get to know her a little better.

“During our interview I had the chance to talk about what drew her to our community, some of the challenges she’s had, and what she sees for the future of policing in Dodgeville,” Priebe said. 

I asked Chief Jasica what drew her to the job in Dodgeville, given that it's the polar opposite of Chicago. She explained that she has friends in other areas of the state and has always loved it in Wisconsin. The chief found a job posting for the Dodgeville job and took a chance and applied. 

Jasica’s plan was always to retire at 50 from the Chicago Police Department and move to Wisconsin. Even at the age of 50, she still had plans of staying in law enforcement and giving back to a different community. Dodgeville ended up being that place. 

Working in a smaller, rural community in Wisconsin is a much different experience from her experience in Chicago. 

One thing Chief Jasica says is different for her is how all calls for service get a response from law enforcement. In Chicago that's not the case. Most minor incidents there are handled by filling a report online, or over the phone. Not all calls made for the police get a response from an officer. 

Another difference is that in Chicago there are certain people assigned to different divisions that only handle specific types of calls. In Dodgeville, she and the Dodgeville officers wear different hats and fill multiple roles within the department. It’s not unusual here to get a higher ranking officer to respond when needed or when there is no one else free. This is the polar opposite of Chicago where high ranking officers only come out for major events, not just regular patrol calls. 

Don’t be surprised if you see the chief out responding to calls. Being able to have direct interaction with the local police chief is something that is unique, and a welcome change for most residents. In many communities people never know who their police chief is, let alone have any interaction with them. Often the only time people see their chief of police is during a press conference. 

In Chicago neighborhoods are communities in themselves. Many people don’t realize that Chicago is more than just the downtown area. It’s a city designed around neighborhoods, each with their own culture. The area she worked in was roughly the population of Dodgeville. This creates a true “community policing” ideology. It also helps make the adjustment a little easier. Like here, the police in that area get to know the people in that area very well. This is an advantage because when people feel comfortable with the police in their area, it helps build trust and lessens fear among residents.

The future of policing is still a challenged. The chief says that the effects of 2020 are still being felt in not only major cities, but also in areas like here. 

Younger people are not choosing law enforcement as a career like they have in decades past. Many young people are not following in their parents footsteps as was the norm in the past. The chief, like many of her generation, followed in the footsteps of their fathers and mothers, and joined the same departments they worked for. The current environment is such that many people don’t want the scrutiny or the constant pressure to “get it right” all the time. There is still a looming fear that if one thing goes wrong, careers can be ended and there could be lasting consequences for the officers and their families. 

People in the community can expect to see more of their new chief out and about. She has bought a house here and is getting settled in with her husband and her dogs. She’s all in for Dodgeville and is looking forward to serving the residents. Her husband is still working for the State’s Attorney's office in Cook County, Illinois and will be joining her in Dodgeville in the coming months. 

And yes, she’s a Packers fan! But above all, she’s a Dodgeville fan and will work hard to continue with the traditions put in place by the people who came before her.