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The fitness area would be in the lower level of City Hall, opposite the police department, in space originally intended for an evidence processing room, that’s now used for storage.

Fitness equipment will be purchased from Memphis-based Titan Fitness.

The police department will also buy eight patrol rifle suppressors from New Berlin-based American Defense Manufacturing — six for patrol riffles and two for the school resource officer and SWAT officer.

Police Chief Brandon Sachse said having a fitness area for police officers and city staff will aid in recruitment and retention.

“I can’t make them workout, but I can at least provide… all city staff with that opportunity,” Sachse said. “For me personally, working out was a savior ... to alleviate stress and keeping me in the game.”

A memo to the council said the suppressors would reduce liability, reducing noise and potential hearing damage if rifles are fired in a vehicle, inside a building or around officers.

“I’ve had the opportunity to shoot suppressed rifles and it’s a game changer. I look at the $6,600 being a drop in the bank compared to potential accrued hearing damage loss for our officers down the road,” and what that might cost the city, Sachse said.

According to another city memo, suppressors also reduce muzzle flash, which helps in low-light and no-light incidents. With the noise and flash reduction, officers remain focused and accurate, it said.

“Muzzle suppressors provide significantly better noise reduction than ear-level devices alone,” the memo said.

Sachse said the squad will “ideally” come in 2-3 years.