You may soon be able to join the Sturgeon Bay Police Department no matter where you live, as long as you can get to work on time. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will weigh in on a proposal to drop the current residency requirement that forces officers to move within 15 miles of city limits within six months of employment. It used to be that living in the city as a police officer was a requirement, but Wisconsin Act 10, passed in 2011, stated that no city residency rules could be more restrictive than the 15-mile limit. Assistant Police Chief Dan Brinkman believes the rule is antiquated, and other departments have been more successful in attracting new officers with more lenient residency requirements.

Brinkman says he understands worries about the department’s response to emergencies like active shooter scenarios but believes there will be enough personnel on the street to respond if the moment arises.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will also consider creating a new part-time police officer position, a new job description for the Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief, and three ordinances when they meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m.