Josh Grabandt-PPD-Keeping Our Community Safe For Over 25 Years

L-R: Lieutenant Josh Grabandt; Optimist Member Barb Stockhausen, Josh Grabandt, Optimist President Bob Hundhausen

The Platteville Optimist Club was treated with a presentation from Platteville Police Department Lieutenant Josh Grabandt on Friday, March 14, 2025. Josh started with the PPD in 2000 as an undercover officer working with the drug task force. He was promoted to Operations Lieutenant in October, 2020 and is in charge of patrol and the detectives. He recently celebrated 25 years with the department. Josh spoke about their ICE (Immagration and Customs Enforcement) policy stating they deal with individuals and any crimes they commit but it isn't the police departments job to police it. He also spoke about school safety, which they are very focused on and have been long before the latest area shootings in Mount Horeb and Madison (Abundant Life Christian School). They work with our school district and the university on drills with the intention to be prepared but not to scare. The Community Program and Services Fund 80 funds a Community Resource Officer that has a presence in our schools. They ensure that the officer that fills this position has an inviting personality and establishes relationships early on with students. In addition and as part of the recent referendum, our schools made a large investment in cameras, which are consistently monitored. They also serve as a deterrent. Lastly, Josh spoke about the cameras that are in various areas throughout the city. He stated that thanks to them, the departments solvability rate on cases is currently ~80% where it used to be 25%. Nationwide, it's 12%.