Sturtevant Police Department to Permanently Close as Racine County Sheriff Takes Over All Services
STURTEVANT, WISCONSIN — The Village of Sturtevant Police Department will permanently close Sunday morning, ending decades of locally operated law-enforcement service for the village’s roughly 7,000 residents. The department confirmed it will shut down at 6:15 a.m., marking a full transfer of all policing responsibilities to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.
Village Officials Quietly Began Considering Closure Months Earlier
Village leaders began exploring the idea of shutting down the police department in August, though they never publicly specified what motivated the discussions. The process sparked confusion throughout the community, as many residents said they had no idea the department was at risk of dissolving.
Several villagers later expressed frustration that they learned about the potential closure through social media, not through official announcements. That lack of communication left residents unsure about how the decision was made or what alternatives had been considered.
The department expressed appreciation for the community’s support, writing in a farewell statement that “your trust and partnership made a lasting difference.”
Officers Say They Had No Warning and Felt Completely Blindsided
Inside the department, shock and disappointment echoed among the officers who served the village. Brent McCoy, president of the Sturtevant Professional Police Association, said the department was kept entirely in the dark.
In his words:
“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.”
McCoy said the department repeatedly attempted to clarify the village’s intentions but received no direct updates, fueling concerns about transparency and long-term planning.
Many officers said they were stunned not only by the decision itself but by how swiftly the transition is being carried out.
Racine County Sheriff’s Office Set to Take Full Control of Law Enforcement
Once the clock hits 6:15 a.m. Sunday, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office becomes fully responsible for emergency response, patrols, investigations, and community policing in Sturtevant.
The sheriff’s office already offers services to surrounding communities, but this marks a complete takeover of a municipality’s policing duties — a move that will permanently reshape local law-enforcement operations.
Officials have not provided a clear explanation behind the decision. There has been no confirmed mention of staffing shortages, financial constraints, or administrative issues, leaving residents to speculate what drove such a major change.
Community Reactions Range From Concern to Cautious Optimism
As the shutdown becomes official, community sentiment remains sharply mixed. Some residents say they trust the sheriff’s office and believe regional consolidation may bring benefits.
Others fear that losing a dedicated local police force could mean slower response times or reduced community-specific attention — especially in a village where officers were known personally by many residents.
One longtime resident wrote in a public comment:
“We had officers who knew our streets, our families, our kids. I don’t know how the county will replace that.”
Meanwhile, some residents are asking for clearer communication from village officials moving forward, hoping future decisions will be more transparent and publicly discussed.
What the Change Means for Sturtevant Moving Forward
With the sheriff’s office now tasked with full coverage, Sturtevant will enter a new chapter in local public safety. New protocols, staffing assignments, and community-policing efforts will likely evolve as the county adjusts to the village’s unique needs.
Though the village police department is closing, the relationships built between officers and residents over decades leave behind a legacy many say will not be easily replaced.
As Sturtevant prepares for this major shift in public-safety operations, residents are watching closely to see how the sheriff’s office responds to the village’s needs. For updates on law-enforcement changes, community decisions, and local news developments across the Midwest, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.