An Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department sergeant with 30 years of law enforcement experience is the new Suring police chief.
Phillip Christenson, who holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Fox Valley Technical School, was introduced at the Village Board meeting on Oct. 13. His hire was approved by a unanimous vote of the board.
He will begin work in Suring on Nov. 16.
“We hired the best man for the position. He brings a lot to the table, with years of experience,” said Jay Tousey, village president.
Christenson said he is excited to get to know the Suring community and plans to have an open door policy.
Christenson worked for the Cobb County Police Department in Marietta, Georgia, while his wife, Shawn, completed her training to become a physical therapist. After 1 1/2 years, they moved back to Wisconsin; both grew up in Neenah.
Christenson worked part time for the Grand Chute and Brillion police departments for 1 1/2 years before being hired by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department.
Christenson said he has seen most everything during his career, including four homicide investigations. Mapping out a complicated crime scene is what he considers one of his biggest professional accomplishments.
He decided early in life he wanted to pursue a law enforcement career to help and protect people, he said. When he was just a third-grader, Christenson became fascinated by a Neenah police officer who came to visit the school with his three-wheeled motorcycle.
As a youngster, Christenson spent his summers and weekends at his parents’ cottage in Breed.
“It was like our second home,” he said.
Christenson intended to retire north of Suring, in the Breed area, so when he saw an opening for the Suring position, he applied. He said he is excited to fulfill his dream of moving to the area sooner than expected.
Christenson’s parents were born and raised in Breed. His brother and uncle live in the area.
“It’s kind of like coming back home,” Christenson said.
He and his wife enjoy horses and will bring them with them when they move.
As the owner of Windy “C” Aviation LLC, Christenson also is a flight instructor and provides sport pilot-powered parachute instruction.
The Christensons have a son, Trevor, 22, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Christensons plan to move to the area as soon as their home in Seymour is sold and a new home is finished in the Breed area.
His salary will be $21 per hour for a 40-hour work week. He also will receive paid vacation, sick time, life insurance, health insurance, income continuation insurance and compensatory time.
Christenson replaces Nick School, who continues to work part time for the village but has taken a job with the Oconto County Sheriff’s Office. School resigned from his full-time duties in June. Fourteen people applied for the chief position.
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