Tim Ryan tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
A Shawano County sheriff’s detective will move to the Shawano Police Department next month to take a job as patrol officer.
Keith Sorlie, who has been with the sheriff’s department for 20 years, will start his duties as a Shawano police officer on Dec. 7.
He will fill the vacancy created by Jeff Lenzner, who left the police department to join the state Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigations.
“Keith is well-respected in the public safety departments within northeast Wisconsin, especially with the Shawano officers,” said Police Chief Mark Kohl.
Kohl noted that Sorlie has a strong background and training in drug investigation, and is an instructor in unified tactics, such as firearms and defensive tactics.
“Keith brings a strong level of experience, leadership and that ‘guardian spirit’ our citizens expect from their police officers,” Kohl said. “We are very happy Keith is joining our family.”
Sorlie’s hiring brings the police department’s staffing up to the authorized budgeted level of 20 officers.
“With the staffing levels up to strength, we can now focus on selecting a detective from our patrol staff,” Kohl said.
Sheriff Adam Bieber said the sheriff’s department would also be promoting a new detective from its ranks to fill Sorlie’s duties.
He said that should happen within a month or two, after which the department will advertise for a new deputy.
“It has been a pleasure working with Keith,” Bieber said. “While I was a city officer, we worked together on drug cases, and as sheriff, it was a pleasure to work with him for this past year.”
Bieber said Sorlie would be missed at the sheriff’s department, but said department staff are looking forward to working with him as a city officer.
“I am happy that Keith can pursue his career goals,” Bieber said.
Sorlie began his law enforcement career in November 1991 as an inspector, then trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol.
He started with the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department in August 1995 as a patrol deputy and was promoted to detective in July 2000. He holds a bachelor of science degree in English and criminal justice.