Get to Know Campbellsport Officer Mitchell Leckie

Officer Mitchell Leckie joined the Campbellsport Police Department as a full-time police officer in December 2025 after serving as a part-time officer with the department since January 2025.
“Officer Leckie brings strong communication skills, proven experience, and a genuine passion for serving others,” said Campbellsport Police Department Chief Andrea Dowland. “He is eager to be actively involved in the community, participate in local events, engage with the youth, and build positive relationships with residents.”
What appealed or attracted you to the Campbellsport Police Department?
I began working with the Campbellsport Police Department in January of 2025 in a part-time capacity while still employed full-time in the private sector. From the start, what stood out to me was the strong sense of community support and involvement. It is common for residents to wave as I drive by or take the time to stop and have a conversation. That level of openness and trust is something I truly value in law enforcement. The welcoming nature of the community, along with the department’s emphasis on community-oriented policing, made Campbellsport a place I wanted to continue serving.

What previous experience do you have in law enforcement?
My law enforcement experience began while I was in college, working for the City of La Crosse Police Department. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, I was hired by the City of Sheboygan Police Department and attended the Fox Valley Technical College Police Recruit Academy. During my career, I have received extensive training in crisis intervention, including Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and specialized training as a Crisis Negotiator with the FBI. I worked for the City of Sheboygan Police Department for two years before transitioning to the private sector, where I investigated insurance claims. While that role provided valuable experience, I missed law enforcement and the opportunity to directly serve the public, which led me to return to policing as a full-time officer.
What are your thoughts on the Campbellsport Police Department?
The Campbellsport Police Department exemplifies a community-based approach to law enforcement, with a strong emphasis on building trust and maintaining positive relationships with residents, business owners, and visitors. I believe that having a strong bond with the community is essential to effective policing. Through my experience here, I have seen firsthand how investigations are more successful when officers can rely on the cooperation, trust, and shared knowledge of community members.
What are your thoughts on the Campbellsport community?
The Campbellsport community has been extremely welcoming and supportive. The residents are friendly, approachable, and genuinely invested in their community. As someone who initially did not know anyone in the area, I was quickly made to feel welcome. While I am still becoming more familiar with the village and the surrounding area, I have been very pleased with the positive interactions and support I have received from community members.
What are your initial and long-term goals with the department?
In a smaller department, it is critical for officers to be well-rounded and adaptable. My initial goal is to continue developing my skills through training and on-the-job experience. Long term, I hope to pursue additional specialized training that will allow me to better assist the community, particularly in areas such as investigations, interdiction, and juvenile-related matters. Overall, my goal is to continue growing professionally while contributing positively to the department and the Village of Campbellsport.
What are the most important roles as a police officer?
The role of a police officer can be viewed as having two primary components: proactive and reactive. When officers are not actively responding to calls for service, it is important to remain proactive within the community. This includes maintaining a visible presence through patrol, enforcing traffic laws, and monitoring for criminal activity. Proactive policing also provides valuable opportunities to engage with community members, answer questions, and assist with non-law-enforcement matters. When an officer is dispatched to a call, it is equally important to respond professionally and resolve law enforcement-related issues, regardless of their size or complexity. Both proactive and reactive roles are essential to effective policing, and I take pride in helping others in any way I can.
“The Campbellsport Police Department is proud to welcome Officer Leckie and looks forward to the knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm he brings to the department, and to serving and protecting the Campbellsport community,” said Dowland. “If you see Officer Leckie within the community, please introduce yourself to him.”