Sturtevant Village Board Considers Ending Local Police, Exploring Contract with Racine County Sheriff

STURTEVANT, Wis. (WRJN) – The Sturtevant Police Department faces possible elimination as the Village Board explores contracting law enforcement services with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, a move that has surprised local officers and caused concern among people living in the community.

Brent McCoy, President of the Sturtevant Professional Police Association and Officer Matthew Bieganski with Sturtevant Police, spoke on The Don Rosen Show this morning, they went into detail about what they know, and how they feel.

They said the proposal surfaced unexpectedly during a village board meeting in early July, blindsiding officers who were not involved in any prior discussions. McCoy said, “The communication hasn’t been there between the village side and us. We have had no talks with any of the trustees. No communication as far as their plans with this. And we’re looking to get that communication.”

McCoy emphasized that no members of the police department were informed ahead of time, saying, “As a union, as any member at the PD, no one was aware that this was going on.” Officer Matt Bieganski echoed concerns about the lack of transparency: “There has been very little information that we’ve been provided, or the community has been provided with what exactly is going on.”

The Sturtevant Police Department currently employs 11 full-time officers and three command staff, many of whom live in the community and have built long-standing relationships and have lots of local knowledge. “They’re the ones that know the people,” McCoy said. Officers warn that outsourcing police services could lead to less information gathered and potentially increase response times.

Village Board member Jason Ingle, who supports considering the outsourcing, pointed to financial benefits, claiming a review showed contracting with the sheriff’s department could save “millions of dollars over the coming years.” Trustee Carrie Amos, finance committee chair, posted on social media that the contract would keep current service levels while reducing salaries, pensions, and insurance costs.

Village President Stuart TenCate publicly supports the local police department but has not offered detailed comments on the ongoing discussions. He’s said online that one of his worries is that the village would lose control and responsibility over a large part of the budget, which could make it harder to respond to the community’s needs. TenCate stresses that people should stay involved and share their opinions.

McCoy told Don Rosen that “most of the people that we talked to are supportive. They want their own local police department.”

Officer Bieganski wrapped up the appearance with a question for people in the village, asking, “Do you want local control or would you rather have an outside agency to come in and do your police services? We live here, know your families, and provide dedicated service.”

This debate in Sturtevant joins similar conversations across Wisconsin, where municipalities like Fremont, Kimberly, and Waterford have recently contracted out police services.

The Village Board’s next meeting on this matter is set for August 12.