Richard Schmidt is the acting Milwaukee County Sheriff.
Prior to becoming acting Sheriff he was a senior commander in the Milwaukee County Sheriff‘s Department.
Official biography from Milwaukee County website…
Inspector Schmidt was appointed to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office on June 6, 1986. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1996, Captain in January of 2002, Deputy Inspector in January of 2003, Inspector of Detention in February 2006, and Inspector, Senior Commander in 2010 by Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.
Inspector Schmidt has led the Police Services Bureau, which included Expressway Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and Airport Security. In 2004, he was put in charge of the Detention Services Bureau. This included oversight of the medical, clerical, correctional officers, and sworn staff assigned to the Milwaukee County Jail, On January 1, 2009, the House of Correction in Franklin, the electronic inmate monitoring, and the Huber community access program all came under the authority of the Sheriff. The associated facilities and programs were then placed in the Detention Bureau. In addition, the Detention Bureau was expanded to include the Courts Services Division, which provides bailiffs for the Milwaukee County Court House, the Criminal Justice Facility, the Safety Building and the courts located at the Children’s Detention Center in Wauwatosa. In August of 2010, Inspector Schmidt was promoted by Sheriff Clarke as the Senior Commander of the Agency, and placed in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
Inspector Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Masters Degree in Administration, both from Hyles-Anderson Crown Point, IN, and earned a doctorate from Northland International University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Executive Management Program, the National Institute of Corrections Executive Excellence program, the F.B.I. National Academy and has attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government for the classes Driving Government Performance, Senior Executives in State & Local Governments and Mastering Negotiations. Inspector Schmidt has participated in the American Correctional Association, the American Jail Association, the F.B.I. National Academy, the National Institute of Corrections – Large Jail Network Trainings, and the Wisconsin Jail Association. He has been involved through the Sheriff’s Office with volunteer efforts with the Special Olympics, Shop with a Cop, the Johnetta Borum Christmas party for underprivileged children, the National Education Association’s Read Across America, and the Salvation Army.
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Content referencing Richard Schmidt
Sheriff Lucas Leaving for Job With Fiserv
Will become Vice President of Security for Wisconsin for company headquartered in Brookfield.
Oct 21st, 2022 by Graham Kilmer
Interview with Mohamed Awad
Awad wants to change culture of Sheriff's Office, saying commanders from Clarke-era must go.
Aug 7th, 2022 by Graham Kilmer
Pension Backdrop Costs Hit $354 Million
Total cost rose $58 million since 2016, may hit $460 million before all eligible workers retire.
Aug 16th, 2021 by Angeline Terry
Sheriff Projects $3.9 Million Overtime Deficit
Sheriff blames understaffing. Finance Committee does not accept his report.
Jun 30th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
County Jail Gets National Accreditation
Sheriff says accreditation from National Commission on Correctional Health Care was "years in the making."
May 17th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Board Approves Overtime Oversight Policy
New policy will likely bring the sheriff's office before the board to explain overtime expenditures.
Apr 26th, 2021 by Graham Kilmer
Committee Rejects Sheriff Cuts
But it also passed a widely supported increase in spending for services like housing and youth justice.
Nov 5th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Abele’s Budget Sees Cuts, and New Programs
Proposed budget closes two pools and cuts bus routes, but boosts the Sheriff's department
Oct 1st, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Five Takeaways from Yesterday’s Election
The race for Terry Witkowski's seat had surprises -- and key lessons.
Jul 17th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Sheriffs Endorse Hagedorn for Supreme Court
"The strong support our campaign is receiving from law enforcement professionals is a reflection of my commitment to protecting the public and upholding the rule of law."
Feb 12th, 2019 by Brian Hagedorn
Will Earnell Lucas Be a “People’s Sheriff”?
That’s what new sheriff promised; community members hope he will be very different than David Clarke.
Jan 4th, 2019 by Max Nawara
Sheriff Lucas Pledges to Restore “Integrity”
Sees challenges, promises changes to county office run by David Clarke for 15 years.
Dec 6th, 2018 by Corrinne Hess
All Six First District County Sheriffs Endorse Bryan Steil
"I am proud to have the backing of all six sheriffs, both Democrats and Republicans alike, in the First Congressional District."
Sep 19th, 2018 by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil
Did Abele, Newspaper Cover Up Schmidt Pension?
Decisions by county exec, Journal Sentinel, suppressed news of his lucrative pension.
Aug 21st, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Are Journalists Your Enemy?
29% of Americans say yes, many support shutting down free press. Disagree? You can help.
Aug 16th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
All the Election Data You Want
It was one for the history books, with many surprising results and newcomers.
Aug 15th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
23 Election Winners and Losers
Beyond the vote totals, who were the other winners and losers in yesterday’s election?
Aug 15th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Candidates for Common Council
Six candidates for 5th District in only primary contest.
Aug 13th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Democratic Candidate Guide
Packed Democratic gubernatorial race and county sheriff contest are top items on Tuesday's ballot.
Aug 13th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Schmidt’s Pension An Issue for Deputies
Co-workers know he’s getting $1 million pension, say issue is divisive for department.
Aug 13th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Richard Schmidt is Failing to Keep Us Safe
Richard Schmidt has failed to articulate a coherent strategy to protect our neighborhood parks.
Aug 7th, 2018 by Earnell Lucas
Schmidt Will Get $1 Million Pension
Acting Sheriff doesn’t deny it, refuses to say whether he will sign waiver of backdrop benefit.
Aug 2nd, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Schmidt Pension At Issue In Sheriff Race?
Acting Sheriff could collect a lot from taxpayers. Will he waive lucrative backdrop benefit?
Aug 2nd, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Schmidt Remarks on Domestic Violence Criticized
Acting Sheriff suggests victimized women should submit themselves to Holy Spirit.
Aug 1st, 2018 by Chuck Quirmbach
Sheriff Candidates All Promise Big Changes
All three acknowledge budget constraints and need to improve department long run by David Clarke.
Jul 31st, 2018 by Ximena Conde
Women’s March WI Response to Sheriff Schmidt Comments
We believe that women and children’s lives and safety are of utmost importance.
Jul 30th, 2018 by Women’s March WI
Acting sheriff doesn’t understand requirements for office
"My experiences and qualifications far exceed those of my opponent."
Jul 27th, 2018 by Earnell Lucas
Acting Sheriff Makes Desperate Attacks on Earnell Lucas
"Schmidt’s false attacks are indicative of a desperate campaign going negative," Garren Randolph, campaign manager for Lucas for Milwaukee said.
Jul 24th, 2018 by Earnell Lucas
Juneteenth Day 2018
Neither rain nor chilly summer temperatures stopped the festivities, as our photos attest.
Jun 20th, 2018 by Jack Fennimore
Independent Business Association of Wisconsin (IBAW) Presents Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt
Sheriff Richard Schmidt is the former senior commander of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, who took over when previous Sheriff, David A. Clarke Jr., resigned in August, 2017.
May 29th, 2018 by Independent Business Association of Wisconsin
Statement on Milwaukee County Sheriff Vacancy
Milwaukee County Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt will continue to serve as acting sheriff for the remainder of Sheriff Clarke’s term ending January 7, 2019.
Apr 11th, 2018 by Gov. Scott Walker
Alderman Cavalier Johnson welcomes Milwaukee County Sheriff partnership
All too often, many of my constituents feel as if they cannot even go about their day due to rampant reckless driving in our community.
Sep 17th, 2017 by Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Alderman Mark A. Borkowski Commends New Milwaukee County Sheriff for Speed Enforcement Efforts
I would like to publicly acknowledge the fine efforts of Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt and his deputies for their heightened enforcement to crack down on reckless speeding and driving on our highways
Sep 15th, 2017 by Ald. Mark Borkowski
The Online Legacy of Sheriff Clarke
His use of government social media set an ugly precedent which must be rejected.
Sep 14th, 2017 by Isiah Holmes
Sheriff Clarke tries to personally serve Chris Abele with board chairman’s lawsuit
Nov 1st, 2015 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Dan Bice
Chris Abele hires pricey security guards, upgrades to full-size SUV
Jun 22nd, 2015 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Supervisor Khalif Rainey is Critical of Jail Video Visitation Problems
Long Lines, Poor Communications System Decrease Jail Morale, Make Conditions Dangerous
Mar 6th, 2014 by Ald. Khalif Rainey
