AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: OCTOBER 2017 23 I n Waukesha, Wiscon- sin, a city committee says the son of the police chief cannot become an officer with the agency his father leads because of nepotism laws on the books. The decision from the Human Resources Com- mittee was unanimous. Derek Jack, son of Waukesha Police Chief Russell Jack, was a top candidate. He passed all the tests with flying colors and met all the necessary re- quirements to become an officer. But “them’s the rules,” as they say. “The chief supervises all officers,” said Mayor Shawn Reilly during the committee meeting. “To carve out a specific ex- ception of the nepotism policy in this specific case as well as any other situa- tion, is unwise and should not be allowed.” Common Council Pres- ident Aaron Perry sug- gested that the committee should make an exception because the nepotism rule enforcement is spotty and there are in fact fam- ily members working at the same agencies in the city. But the other members said this wasn’t about whether Derek Jack would make a good officer – ev- eryone agrees that he will. It’s just a question of stick- ing to the rules. “Why are we creating an issue?” asked Alder- man Joe Pieper, who vot- ed to deny the exception. “Why are we creating an opportunity for there to be problems or ques- tions? If Derek needs to be disciplined, why are we putting a sergeant in the position of disciplin- ing the chief’s son?” Chief Jack had asked the council for an exemp- tion for his son, according to a local CBS affiliate CBS58. “I only have about one or two years left in my career and I’ll be retired,” Chief Jack said. “So we’re asking for an exception for one or two years. I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to this city and my son wants to dedicate his heart and soul to the same city his dad served.” No pass for chief’s kid on nepotism rule “I am a product of nepotism. I don’t think I would have had the profession that I’m in currently if it wasn’t for my dad.” – Jeff Bridges