The village of Sturtevant is considering disbanding its police department and outsourcing law enforcement services to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.
Village Trustee Jason Ingle said Sturtevant is still gathering information on the proposal. It’s a move that village trustees say would save about $3.5 million over the next five years.
“These savings allow us to redirect funds towards infrastructure, parks, community services and lowering the tax burden,” Ingle wrote in a statement. “It’s a proactive step that prevents future tax hikes while maintaining our high standards for safety and service.”
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
The village of about 7,000 people in Racine County has 11 police officers in its department. Brent McCoy, president of the Sturtevant Professional Police Association, believes that some of those officers would lose their careers if the village were to contract with the county.
“There’s no guarantee that the agency that comes over and takes over for Sturtevant, that these officers are hired by that agency,” McCoy said. “That’s not a guarantee.”
McCoy believes the village would also lose “local control” if the police department was disbanded. He said some of the officers have built strong connections and relationships with the community.
“These officers patrol the streets day and night, 24 hours a day,” McCoy said.
“You get to know the officers — the officers get to know the area,” he added.
Ingle was not available for an interview Wednesday.
But in his statement, he said contracting with the county would eliminate costs for salaries and benefits, pensions, and for equipment like squad cars, while “still ensuring 24/7 professional police protection.”
“The county has a proven record of professionalism and will work closely with our leadership to tailor their approach to our local needs,” Ingle wrote.
In an email, Village Trustee Carrie Amos wrote that two patrol officers would still be on duty in the village at all times if the village were to move forward with the county.
“The officers on duty in the Village would provide the same safety services our current officers provide along with village ordinance violations, welfare checks, etc.,” Amos wrote. “Same as our current coverage and services.”
The specifics of any possible contract with the county are still unknown. Village President Stuart Ten Cate didn’t respond to a reporter’s request for an interview. A public information officer with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office also did not respond to a request for comment.
Sturtevant resident Rose Woodruff has lived in the village for more than 50 years. She said she wants more information about the proposal.
“I think the village owes it to the members,” Woodruff said. “I would like them to have the sheriff’s department come to a meeting and stand up quietly, without any interruptions, and give a presentation on what they would offer if we signed a contract with them.”
In the email, Ingle said he’s working to have members of the sheriff’s office come to a public meeting on Tuesday to answer questions.
As of Wednesday morning, McCoy said he hasn’t had any discussions with the village about the possibility of disbanding.
Other municipalities have also contracted with counties
Sturtevant isn’t the first municipality to consider disbanding their local police department.
A PBS Newshour report found some smaller towns and villages across the nation have had success with contracting with the county for law enforcement services. That comes as many police departments are struggling to recruit and retain officers.
In Wisconsin, the village of Fremont and town of Waterford recently disbanded their police departments, while the village of Kimberly voted to leave the Fox Valley Metro Police Department and contract with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office.
Jim Palmer, the executive director of Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said he understands why more municipalities in the state are taking that route. But he also said he believes a local police department provides value to a community.
“I mean, certainly there may be cost savings, but it really comes down to the loss of local control,” Palmer said.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
