Kenosha County board approves ordinance allowing hires as young as 19 for sheriff's department

Kenosha County's Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance 28, an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Kenosha County Municipal Code governing the Sheriff's Department, to allow the county to hire deputy sheriffs who are 19 years old subject to the ordinance's screening and education requirements.

The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote of 17 yes and 5 no after more than an hour of public comment and supervisor debate. Two proposed amendments to change the age requirements'one by Supervisor Kirby to revert to a 20/21 framework with exceptions for Explorer or military candidates, and one by Supervisor Nudo to lower hiring and application ages to 18'were both defeated before the final ordinance vote.

Supporters of the ordinance, including Chief Deputy Miller and the sheriff's office, told the board hiring flexibility would help recruit candidates who complete the department's training track and college-credit requirements. Chief Deputy Miller said the department's hiring process includes a civil service interview, additional interviews with command staff, a job-traits…