Wisconsin Village Shuts Down Entire Police Department, Leaving Residents Shocked and Demanding Answers
STURTEVANT, Wisconsin — The Village of Sturtevant Police Department has officially closed its doors, ending all local law enforcement operations and transferring emergency response duties to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, a move that caught many residents off guard and sparked hundreds of reactions online.
Police Department Announces Sudden Closure at 6:15 A.M. Sunday
The department announced its permanent shutdown in a Facebook post, writing that law enforcement services for Sturtevant’s roughly 7,000 residents would end at 6:15 a.m. Sunday.
The message thanked the community for years of support:
“Your engagement and commitment to keeping our village safe have made a lasting difference.”
The village’s decision immediately triggered a wave of uncertainty, with the post drawing over 450 comments from residents by Monday morning. Many demanded to know why such a major change was not put on local ballots or discussed more openly.
Local reporting from WTMJ noted that village officials had been exploring outsourcing police services since August, though the village never publicly explained the reasons behind the final decision.
Residents Say They Were Blindsided by Lack of Transparency
In response to residents in the comments section asking why the closure wasn’t up for a referendum vote, the Sturtevant Police Department clarified:
“The decision was solely made by the Village Board.”
According to the department, multiple residents had requested that the matter be added to the 2026 election cycle, but those requests were denied.
The board provided “numerous reasons,” though frustrated residents say none of those explanations were publicly detailed.
Brent McCoy, president of the Sturtevant Professional Police Association, told WTMJ that officers were also kept in the dark:
“The communication hasn’t been there between the village side and us… We have had no talks with any of the trustees.”
With the department abruptly dissolved, residents are now directed to contact Sturtevant Village Hall with any questions.Racine County Sheriff’s Office Now Covering All Calls
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office has taken over full responsibility for law enforcement in Sturtevant, including 911 response, patrol coverage, and investigations.
For many residents, the sudden transition raises concerns about police presence, response times, and what the change means long-term for community safety.
As of Monday morning, village officials had not responded to inquiries from NBC Chicago regarding the future of law enforcement resources or how the closure decision was reached.
This remains a developing story as residents, officers, and local leaders continue pushing for clarity.
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