Law Enforcement Staffing Shortages to be Discussed Friday, Jan. 7

A Sturgeon Bay Police Department squad car. File photo.

Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) will hold a press conference on Friday, Jan. 7 to discuss the challenges that law enforcement agencies are currently facing, particularly with recruiting and retaining personnel.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski and Sturgeon Bay Police Chief Clint Henry will join Kitchens for the event at 3 pm at the Sturgeon Bay Police Department, 421 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Kitchens said he wants to create more public awareness about the issues law enforcement agencies are experiencing with staff shortages.

“We are starting to reach a crisis here in Wisconsin and we can’t wait any longer to do something about it,” he said. 

Kitchens said the number of violent crimes has increased nationally for the first time in four years, with Wisconsin outpacing the rest of the country with a nearly nine percent increase in violent crimes. At the same time, Wisconsin has the lowest number of law enforcement officers – 13,576  – working in the state in at least a decade. 

Law enforcement graduation rates are also showing a downward trend. A total of 766 people entered the profession in Wisconsin last year, which is the fewest in the past 10 years.