Milwaukee County sheriff details staffing gains, a 36% drop in park Part 1 crimes and new programs

Sheriff Danita Ball presented the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office 2025 annual review, highlighting recruitment and retention efforts and operational reforms. "Our vision is to be a model public safety agency based on service and trust," she told the committee as she described expanded recruitment teams, an interest form for applicants, an expanded cadet program for ages 14–20 and a lateral transfer program for certified officers.

Ball provided staffing counts: at the end of 2025 the office reported 250 deputies of an authorized 273 (down 23) and 182 correctional officers of an authorized 225 (down 43). Year-to-date 2026 figures presented were 273 deputies of 288 authorized (down 15) and 185 correctional officers of 235 authorized (down 50). Chief Deputy Brian Barco and Deputy Director David Gabriel said hiring has increased month to month and jail turnover has moved from higher rates in prior years to about 37% year-to-date.