Rehberg ready to increase police/community connection

A new face has been spotted walking Cornell’s sidewalks, in the police department squad car and at the chief’s desk. That new face belongs to Glenn Rehberg, who began his responsibilities as the Cornell chief of police April 1, after the retirement of former chief, Brian Hurt.

Rehberg, who resided in Madison, until he began his new position, is originally from Eau Claire County, and to him, coming to Cornell is like coming home. He said that is a reason he was happy to be hired as chief in Cornell, as he was hoping to return to the area.

After graduating high school, Rehberg attended UW-Eau Claire, working his way through college on the ambulance squad as an EMS, then began his career – but not in law enforcement. He spent a couple years as a teacher, but decided he needed something with “less stress.”

So, Rehberg again worked as an EMS, before he turned to law enforcement.

“I’ve been doing that in one way or another ever since,” he said.

With about a decade of police work fulltime under his belt and serving as a midnight shift sergeant, Rehberg accepted a position with the Department of Justice (DOJ), while continuing to work as a police officer part-time. While at the DOJ Training and Standards Bureau, he wrote training materials for officers and complete certification for the instructors.

Rehberg was also involved in writing the use of curriculum, dealing with high liability areas such as use of force, deadly force, incident command, active shooters and high-risk tactical operations.

“I either worked on or wrote the training manuals for that…and after doing that for almost 10 years…the legislature created the Office of School Safety,” he said.

Rehberg was then approached by the Attorney General, who asked if he would like to work in the new office, because of his experience with that subject matter and as a former educator.

“How do you no to say something like that?” said Rehberg.

He served in that position for three years, but his heart was calling him to something else.

“I really missed the full-time law enforcement things and wanted to come back to my roots, so to speak,” said Rehberg. “And so, this was just a real golden opportunity to come back to this part of the state, and let my family share the experience of living in western Wisconsin.”

Although Rehberg is currently staying with his sister near Chippewa Falls, he is looking for a place to live in or near Cornell, after his wife, Paige, who is a teacher, and their children finish out the school year in Madison. Rehberg is also hoping an elementary or middle school position will be available for his wife to transition to in the area.

In the meantime, she and their two boys, age 11 and 12, are living in Madison until summer, at least.

“They (boys) are the light of my life, they are wonderful,” said Rehberg.

In the family’s spare time, Rehberg plays games with his sons to teach them the joys of cardboard, instead of electronics. He also enjoys camping, hunting, reading and would like to fish more with his boys.

“We’re really looking forward to exploring the outdoors in the area,” said Rehberg. “That’s certainly one of the wonderful attractions the community has to offer visitors and residents. And as brand new residents, we plan on diving in full force.”

As for his plans on what he would like to see in the city, Rehberg says he wants to increase the connection of the department to the community.

“I think that the police department can, and does, already provide some high-value services to the community,” he said. “The good news is, we have some really excellent officers working here.”

Rehberg said his focus is to emphasize and enhance the sense of small town community that draws people to the area. He also wants people to have/feel the safety and security of a small town.

While he is still learning the workings of the department, Rehberg invites the community to stop in and say hello, and introduce themselves, as he looks forward to becoming part of things. He is also planning a future “Meet the Chief” event to get to know more people.

“I couldn’t be happier to be here,” said Rehberg.