Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is the principal law enforcement agency that serves Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It provides law enforcement services for the county's freeways and outlying lettered County Trunk Highways, the Milwaukee County Courthouse, the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility and House of Corrections, the county-owned Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and the Milwaukee County Parks system, including all of the Milwaukee County lakefront, along with the county's few unincorporated sections.
At one time it was the largest sheriff's department in the state of Wisconsin, with about 750 deputy sheriffs. By 2015 the agency had reduced the number of sworn personnel to approximately 300. The reduction of sworn members was due to the county shifting jailing responsibilities to specific correction officers rather than sworn deputies.
The current sheriff is Denita R. Ball, who was sworn on October 24, 2022. Ball was elected as a Democrat and is the force's first female leader.
Bureaus and divisions
Administrative Services Bureau
The Administrative Services Bureau contains the Open Records Division, Central Records Unit, Media Relations, Clerical Staff, Traffic Desk, Special Events, Training Academy, Community Relations Unit, and the Honor Guard.Detention Services Bureau
The Detention Services Bureau handles inmate health, transportation, food services, inmate housing, property, jail records, visiting, classification, central booking records and warrants.Police Services Bureau
The Police Services Bureau oversees the Airport Division, Courts Division, Patrol Division, Parks Unit, Civil Process Unit, Motor Units, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics, Bicycle Patrol and the Boat PatrolCriminal Investigations Bureau
The Criminal investigations Bureau Oversees the General Investigations Unit, Apprehension Unit, Background Investigations, Undercover Unit, and the Law Enforcement Analyst Division.MCSO Ranks
1.Sheriff:2.Chief Deputy: also known as Undersheriff is the second in charge. An Undersheriff partners with the Sheriff to develop the short- and long-term goals of the county’s sheriff’s department.
3.Inspector: oversight of a Bureau operations and budgeting.
4.Captain: oversight of a Division operations and budgeting.
5.Lieutenant: Shift Commander, plans, oversees, and coordinates the daily activities of a designated operational entity of the Sheriff's Office.
6.Sergeant: present the first line of supervisors. They perform all the duties of a Deputy as well as supervise, coordinate, and guide Deputy and other department employees in their daily activities.
7.Deputy Sheriff: works to protect a county’s property and citizens. They patrol highways and cities, investigating crimes and keeping records of different criminal instances. They also escort detainees from court proceedings and ensure the courtroom is peaceful and professional.
Deputy Sheriffs operate different communications devices, like radios and telephones to report and respond to emergency calls. They’ll also navigate the highway and county areas to ensure all drivers are following posted speed limits and adhering to other traffic laws. Many Deputy Sheriffs also serve court documents to individuals.
| Title | Insignia |
| Sheriff | |
| Chief Deputy | |
| Inspector | |
| Captain | |
| Lieutenant | |
| Sergeant | |
| Detective | |
| Deputy Sheriff |
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, 12 officers have died in the line of duty. For 11 years, the Milwaukee County Law Enforcement Executives Association, in conjunction with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Milwaukee Police Department, has hosted the Greater Milwaukee Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony annually in May. The event, which honors Milwaukee County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, is part of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week.| Officer | Date of death | Details |
| Deputy Sheriff Sergio Aleman | July 31, 2012 | Automobile accident |
| Deputy Sheriff Sung Hui Bang | August 17, 2000 | Aircraft accident |
| Deputy Sheriff I Ralph Edward Zylka | August 17, 2000 | Aircraft accident |
| Deputy Sheriff I David Michael Demos | January 25, 1997 | Vehicular assault |
| Deputy Sheriff I John Valentine Trandel | May 1, 1981 | Heart attack |
| Deputy Sheriff Wallace N. Schilling | October 8, 1975 | Gunfire |
| Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Rhodes | November 17, 1951 | Automobile accident |
| Deputy Sheriff Al Beckemeier | May 10, 1947 | Motorcycle accident |
| Deputy Sheriff Howard F. Grundman | January 30, 1934 | Motorcycle accident |
| Deputy Sheriff George Pazik | May 30, 1917 | Motorcycle accident |
| Deputy Sheriff Frank X. Heup | November 1, 1915 | Motorcycle accident |
| Deputy Sheriff William Wank | August 18, 1915 | Gunfire |
Equipment
Weapons and other duty equipment- Sig P320 9mm- standard issue pistol, replaced Glock Model 22 Gen 4.40
- Smith & Wesson M&P15- The Smith & Wesson M&P15 is used for normal patrol deputies.
- Taser X7- Used by patrol deputies as well as corrections officers.
- Chevrolet Tahoe- patrol SUV
- Dodge Charger- patrol car
- Ford Explorers- patrol SUV