Sheboygan, Wisconsin – January 13, 2025 – The City of Sheboygan is pleased to announce that the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners has appointed Assistant Chief Kurt Zempel as the new Chief of Police for the Sheboygan Police Department. Assistant Chief Zempel, who has served the department with distinction since 2003, will be formally sworn in at the Twentieth Regular Common Council Meeting on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
Larry Samet, President of the Sheboygan Police and Fire Commission, expressed confidence in the appointment, stating:
“The Commission recommends that the new Police Chief for the City of Sheboygan be Kurt Zempel. As a longtime member of the department with extensive professional training and experience, and as a lifelong resident of Sheboygan, Kurt was chosen to be the new Chief.
His leadership style, focused on collaboration and trust, will continue the department’s tradition of excellence, securing and enhancing the strong bond between law enforcement and the residents of Sheboygan.
Our department has done a remarkable job of reducing crime in our community. Its proactive approach, rather than a reactive response, has not only reduced crime but, through various initiatives, improved relations with our diverse community. Kurt, his administrative team, and patrol officers are well-positioned to continue their outstanding service.”
In response to his appointment, Assistant Chief Zempel stated:
“As a lifelong Sheboygan resident who cares deeply about the safety of my hometown, I am honored and humbled to lead an organization that has consistently demonstrated excellence in community policing and crime reduction. My commitment is to continue our work making Sheboygan the safest community of our size by building trust, fostering collaboration, and engaging our diverse community through proactive and compassionate policing.”
Assistant Chief Zempel’s promotion follows an exemplary 20-year career with the Sheboygan Police Department, where he advanced through the ranks from Police Officer to Detective, Sergeant, Commander of the Multijurisdictional Enforcement Group, Lieutenant, Captain of the Patrol Division, and most recently, Assistant Chief of Police.
Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Zempel has demonstrated exemplary leadership, dedication, and a commitment to community engagement. His accomplishments include significant contributions to combating drug overdoses, developing community policing strategies, and in specialized units such as the Emergency Response Team and Street Crimes Unit. His extensive training, including certifications as an instructor in Leadership in Police Organizations and Fair and Impartial Policing, underscores his readiness to guide the department effectively in the years ahead.
Assistant Chief Zempel is deeply invested in his professional and local communities. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and has served on the national board of directors of the Southern Police Institute Alumni Association since 2019. Beyond his professional commitments, he is a lifelong musician, an avid triathlete, and a proud father of two sons, both Eagle Scouts.
Assistant Chief Zempel’s academic and professional training reflect his dedication to excellence in law enforcement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Management from Concordia University Wisconsin (2003) and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (2013). He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officer’s Course at the University of Louisville and has been a Certified Instructor in Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) since 2017.
The community is warmly invited to celebrate this important milestone at City Hall, beginning at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers on the third floor of 828 Center Avenue. Join us for light refreshments and cake before the formal swearing-in ceremony at the Twentieth Regular Common Council Meeting at 6:00 PM, on Monday, January 20, 2025, where Assistant Chief Kurt Zempel will be formally recognized with a proclamation and sworn into office as Chief of Police.