MONROE — While his department is small, comprised of just four full-time officers, New Glarus Police Chief Burt Boldebuck says it can still handle most major crimes, punching above its weight when it comes to law enforcement effectiveness.

It’s a capability he’s proud of and reflecting on lately, as Boldebuck prepares to step down from the post.

“It’s been a good run,” said Boldebuck, who recently announced his retirement, after 11 years as New Glarus’ top cop, and three decades as a police officer.

Both he and his lieutenant, Jeff Sturdevant, have experience in larger departments, and over the years, he said, they’ve been able to put their previous knowledge to good use to prevent crime in an area that’s primarily rural, but located close to a larger urban area.

Sturdevant will soon take over as the new, New Glarus police chief, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Dec. 29, according to Boldebuck.

“I met him (Sturdevant) as a sergeant here so it’s kind of like we are passing the torch,” he said.

Law enforcement personnel are recognizing Boldebuck for his years of service and leadership in Green County. Earlier this month, the Green County Law Enforcement Administrators Association praised the chief in a recent social media post shared by the sheriff’s office.

“The Green County Sheriff’s office thanks Chief Boldebuck for his service, and his partnership in ensuring the safety of Green County citizens,” said the post

Commenters on the post also praised Boldebuck. “I’ve known Burt throughout his entire career, he’s one of the best,” said one.

Boldebuck, a married father of two, came to New Glarus from the Town of Madison police department. It’s a department that’s small but located amid some of the Madison area’s most crime-plagued neighborhoods. That work at times involved investigating “shootings, stabbings and homicide,” Boldebuck said.

That type big-city experience helped him solve a complex and high-value residential burglary case out of New Glarus a few years ago that involved several suspects, multiple search warrants, multiple counties and as many as 60 personnel. Police recovered property and numerous automatic weapons following that 2013 case.

“We were able to literally crack the case and track (suspects) down,” said Boldebuck. “As a small-town department, we were able to coordinate,” it.

Another big bust he worked, he said, was an embezzlement case involving $1 million taken from the New Glarus Home.

But Boldebuck says he is just as proud of what he hasn’t had to do on the job in New Glarus — investigate violent crime.

“There is crime that occurs but for the most part it is still relatively low, in small towns,” he said, saying most violence calls to his department are related to domestic disputes. “From what I experienced in Madison, it was a big change.”

Boldebuck said he’s also proud of the community outreach performed by his department, including the annual Bike Rodeo, which serves about 80 kids and gives away dozens of bikes. The department’s Halloween safety program is also popular and helps kids have positive interactions with law enforcement starting at a young age.

Citizen support is another thing, Boldebuck said he has enjoyed during his tenure in New Glarus.

“The community here really backs the police department,” he said. “They stand behind us.”