Assistant Chief Tom Wagner of the Waukesha Police Department told the Finance Committee on Oct. 28 that the department received a $139,600 Community Policing Development microgrant to pay for CellBright, a forensic software platform that can process multiple phones and cross‑link data.

Wagner said the system will “process multiple phones and cross link the information” to assist investigations, and that the grant covers the initial two‑year period so there is no cost to the police department during that trial.

The grant was presented to the committee as an opioid‑focused tool that will also help investigations beyond overdose cases. “It was written specifically for the opioid problem that we have in the community,” Wagner said, but added the software “will enhance again, the forensic ability and speed up the process to be able to analyze multiple devices at once” for other investigations.

Alderman Lemke moved to accept the grant; Alderperson Helenslavin seconded. The committee approved the acceptance by unanimous voice vote.

Wagner told the committee that if the department chooses to continue CellBright after the two‑year grant period, the ongoing operating cost would be about $46,000 per year; the grant provides a server and covers most upfront costs. Committee members did not vote on future funding commitments for the software; continuation would be considered in later budget cycles.

Clarifying details discussed at the meeting include the grant amount ($139,600), the two‑year no‑cost trial period to the police department, and the approximate annual operating cost after the trial (approximately $46,000). The committee recorded the acceptance and will transmit that recommendation as appropriate.

The acceptance vote was taken by voice and recorded as unanimous. The committee then returned to its primary agenda item: review of the 2026 operating budget.