Rhinelander Police Department introduces new Community Outreach Trailer

The Rhinelander Police Department has announced the addition of a new community outreach trailer, a resource designed to strengthen community connections, increase awareness of local resources, and provide officers and community partners with a dedicated space for outreach and engagement.

According to an RPD press release, the trailer was purchased through Wisconsin Deflection Initiative COSSUP (Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program) grant funding, supporting local efforts to enhance community-based responses, strengthen partnerships, and connect individuals with substance use recovery resources that promote health, safety, and well-being.

“The trailer made its community debut at the Light Up the Night for Recovery event, where Rhinelander Police Department officers and members of the Department’s Peer Support Services Team used the resource to connect with community members in a welcoming, informal setting,” the release states. “The event provided an opportunity for law enforcement and peer support staff to engage with residents, answer questions, share information, and increase awareness of local recovery and support resources.”

“The community outreach trailer gives us another way to meet people where they are and build relationships within our community,” said Josh Chiamulera, Chief of Police, with the Rhinelander Police Department. “Our goal is to create opportunities for positive interactions, connect residents with helpful resources, and strengthen the partnerships that make our community healthier and safer.”

The trailer will be used at community events, outreach activities, educational opportunities, and other gatherings throughout the Rhinelander area. It will provide the police department with a visible and approachable presence while creating opportunities to highlight local programs, services, and community resources, the release states. In 2025, the department applied for and was awarded just over $300,000 in COSSUP Grant funding. This funding has helped to 100% fund a full-time recovery coach, a part-time community outreach coordinator, as well as equipment like the outreach trailer, a patrol bicycle and applicable training, mental health and substance use related trainings for officers and staff. The department was also able to help host the first of its kind deflection training for law enforcement officers at Nicolet College.

According to the release, the trailer also supports the department’s broader commitment to community engagement, prevention, peer support, and connection to services. By working alongside community organizations and service providers, the department can help residents identify resources and support systems before challenges become crises.