For further information contact:
Valori Schmidt 414-202- 6226
[email protected]
MILWAUKEE, WI, April 24, 2018… From the shadow of the courthouse
doors, Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard R. Schmidt announced today
he would run as a Democrat to seek four more years as Milwaukee
County’s top law enforcement officer. “My passion is public safety, and I
want Milwaukee County residents to know I’ve got their back. Public
safety is job #1,” said Schmidt, who has served 32 years in the Sheriff’s
Department.
“I have spent my entire career preparing for this job,” said Schmidt, who
took over as Acting Sheriff on September 1, 2017. “In the last eight
months I have listened, observed and put into action a plan to ensure
public confidence in the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s office. Along with
my team we’ve made good progress, but there is much more I want to
do. And I am asking the voters for their support.”
In addition to continuing his focus on the quality control initiatives he
introduced into the Milwaukee County Jail and strengthening the
department’s presence and speed enforcement of the freeway system,
Schmidt said he would like the department to more aggressively tackle
issues related to human trafficking, help combat the opioid crisis, crack
down on scams against the elderly and elder abuse, test a pilot body
camera program within the ranks of the Parks and Tactical Enforcement
Unit, and implement a news digital records management system to help
better manage the Milwaukee County Jail.
“The Sheriff’s Department touches the lives of every Milwaukee County
resident,” said Schmidt. “People deserve to feel safe when driving to
work on our freeways, celebrating a holiday on our lakefront, or visiting
our courtrooms. Our jail serves as a transfer station or holding facility
for over (00,000) individuals annually. They are entitled to our
protection and assistance when under our roof. Public safety doesn’t
mean just writing tickets on the freeway. The public’s safety is present
in everything we do.”
Schmidt added he was also understanding of the financial demands
facing the county board, county executive and his department. “These
are difficult times for local units of government,” said Schmidt. “I
understand we need to be watchdogs and caretakers of the resources
we are managing. I promise to work with my colleagues in the
courthouse to provide excellent services to county residents while also
being respectful of their pocketbooks.”
Schmidt said he has also been reaching out to all of the county’s police
chiefs and regional law enforcement agencies to offer his department’s
assistance and encourage greater inter-agency involvement.
Schmidt began his career with the department as a deputy in 1986 and
was promoted to Sergeant in 1996. He advanced to Captain in 2002,
Deputy Inspector in 2003, Inspector of Detention Services in 2006, and
Inspector/Senior Commander in 2010.
Sheriff Schmidt holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s
degree in public administration. He also earned a Doctorate in theology
and was ordained a minister in 1983. Schmidt, and his wife Valori, live
in Franklin and have three adult children.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff is a Wisconsin constitutional officer and
runs in partisan elections every four years. Milwaukee County is the 45 th
largest county in the nation with 951,000 residents. The county is
comprised of ten cities and nine villages and covers 1,190 square miles.
