Chiefs, sheriff struggle to find new officers

Sheriffs in Wisconsin count drugs as their number one worry, but when they’re sitting around talking to each other, most of the talk is about where to find good deputies.

“Every table I was at” at the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, said Trempealeau County Sheriff Brett Semingson, “the top discussion was about personnel.” 

The 59-person sheriff’s department includes 28 sworn officers, those with full arrest powers, and 20 officers who staff the jail. Besides finding qualified patrol candidates — the hiring process can take up to three months — Semingson is looking at several retirements among high-ranking officers over the next few years. 

“We have an aging staff,” he said.

County police departments are also feeling the squeeze. There are vacancies at the Independence and village of Trempealeau departments. Arcadia filled an open position only to have the officer leave shortly thereafter. The city has been able to find a replacement officer, said Mayor Rob Reichwein.

“It’s just a lot tougher to hire,” said Independence Mayor Robert Baecker. “We’re even having a hard time getting part-timers.”

Whitehall recently hired an officer who is still in school and won’t be available for full-time work until she graduates. The sheriff’s department has openings for fill-in patrol officers and jailers. The three-person Blair police department is fully staffed, according to acing chief Randy Jensen who is also a part-time officer.

“Back in 2008, when I became sergeant, we’d get 124 applications for one on-the-road patrol position,” Semingson said. “We had to look for ways to whittle the list down so we could figure out how to do interviews.”

In recent years, as the number of applicants has dwindled, three-quarters of those who apply are still students, Semingson said. “We require an associate degree and that you be eligible to be certified,” the sheriff added. “The missing element for us is finding someone with experience.” He said hiring officers for jail duty is also difficult, though he has been able to hire a female jail deputy.

Officials have a variety of thoughts on why finding quality police officers has become more difficult. There have been changes in how technical schools handle certifications. Semingson noted that technical schools now do the associate degree program in one block, making it difficult for those with other jobs to complete the course work.

Anti-police sentiment has reduced interest – and sped up retirements – but several officials said police departments are feeling the general slump in individuals interested in what were once considered community service jobs.

“Do they teach kids civics anymore,” Semingson asked. “You just don’t see young people with that commitment to service.” 

Reichwein noted that volunteer first-responders and even venerable organizations such as the Lions Club are having trouble attracting participants.

“It’s very difficult,” said village of Trempealeau Chief Timothy Moen. “There’s been a drastic change with far fewer applicants.” 

With a vacancy on the force and other officers out with COVID, Moen has on occasion had to work day and night shifts. Tellingly, it was serving his community that caused Moen, who has been chief for three years, to move into law enforcement.

Several officials noted that it’s not just police departments that are having trouble filling positions. Reichwein said candidates have options other than a job where they have to work nights and weekends.

Semingson said he doesn’t believe wages are much of a barrier to hiring with jailers making $25 an hour and a patrol officer, $31 an hour.

Police chiefs said that vacancies just spread more work to other officers. Semingson said the sheriff’s department is sometimes called on to fill in when a municipality’s police force is short-staffed. 

“One day we may need to look at combining some of these smaller departments,” Semingson said.

In response to the difficulties of hiring officers, the Wisconsin assembly has passed a group of proposals that would devote over $4 million to police training and recertification reimbursement. The measures include bills to create a police marketing campaign, create grants for part-time officers, fund police training programs at technical colleges, and direct about $15 million to grants for recruiting and bonuses. The proposals, with funding coming from federal American Rescue Plan Act, are now in the state senate.