Offer would be family-friendly for Burlington police chief
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
When the City of Burlington pursued Peter Nimmer as its next police chief back in the winter of 2010, City of Burlington Mayor Bob Miller knew it would be a challenge holding onto the talented officer.
As it turns out, that challenge is coming sooner than anyone anticipated. The Village of Whitefish Bay announced the four finalists for its police chief position Tuesday, and Nimmer was one of the four named.
Miller said Tuesday that Nimmer was a bright young talent in demand, but also expressed his emotions over the situation.
“I’m disappointed, but I understand his decision to do it,” Miller said, adding that he hoped Nimmer would stay in the city at least five years. “I also knew going in that he is the type of individual who would be moving up and beyond.
“I knew we wouldn’t be keeping him forever, but I always had my hopes,” the mayor added.
Nimmer currently owns a home near Jackson in Washington County – a home he has attempted to sell since taking the job in Burlington. In addition, his wife works in that area. Those factors, Miller said, make Whitefish Bay a family-friendly option for Nimmer.
Nimmer joins Ronald Stefanski, a lieutenant in the Whitefish Bay force, Ronald Tischer, a captain for the City of Waukesha Police Department, and Michael Young, a captain with the City of Milwaukee PD, on the short list.
As for who was topping that list, staff at Whitefish Bay were keeping tight lips.
“The Police Commission has named four finalists, and until they name one, we’re (only) releasing the names of the four finalists,” said Patrick DeGrave, village manager for Whitefish Bay.
Attempts to contact Nimmer by cell phone for comment were unsuccessful as the chief was reportedly out of town at a training seminar.
Nimmer came to Burlington from the City of Brown Deer, where he was a lieutenant. Back in 2010, Brown Deer Police Chief Steven Rinzel expressed a lack of surprise over Nimmer coming out on top of the list of candidates for Burlington’s top spot.
“We knew he was a solid person when we hired him,” said Rinzel at the time. “We always picked him as somebody who could move ahead.
“He’s young, he’s energetic, and he comes across as a good person who can do his job very well.”
Since coming to Burlington, Nimmer has worked to increase the transparency and professionalism within the police department. He has also had to promote a pair of new sergeants and hired at least two new officers as retirements hit the department.
Most recent among the changes, Nimmer helped push through a digital upgrade of the radio system and the 911 system at the police station.
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