SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

Sheriff William L. McReynolds

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Office of Sheriff is an elected constitutional position under provisions of the Wisconsin Constitution and State laws. The Sheriff serves as the top law enforcement officer in the County. The Sheriff is elected in a County-wide election and enjoys a great deal of autonomy in the exercise of his constitutional authority in the operation of the Sheriff's Department. He is responsible for certain mandated functions and also serves as the coordinator and facilitator of all law enforcement efforts throughout the County.

The Sheriff's budget contains the following subcategories: Sheriff Operation, Water Patrol, Metro Drug Unit, Special Investigative Unit, and Child Support Operations.
The Sheriff's Operations budget covers the traditional law enforcement services, such as patrol, response to residents' calls for assistance, investigations, civil process, courts, and various support functions.
The Water Patrol, subsidized by funds from the Department of Natural Resources, provides patrol functions on Lake Michigan, as well as support to the inland waters of Racine County.
The Metro Drug Unit performs County-wide investigations into illegal drug activities and is subsidized by Federal and State funds. This unit also has officers assigned to it from other law enforcement agencies in Racine County.
The Special Investigative Unit is also subsidized by Federal and State funds. It is responsible for working with the Human Services Department in investigating illegal use of food stamps, AFDC, and other related programs. The W-2 program which started in 1997 changed some of the focus of the unit.
The Child Support Officer, subsidized by State funds, locates and takes into custody persons delinquent in making court ordered child support payments.
 

ACHIEVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE GOALS

An important goal for this year was to continue to foster a close working relationship with other law enforcement agencies in Racine County. This was achieved through continued progress on the full implementation of the County-wide LEAP project, which included placing mobile personal computers in squad cars with a Technology 2000 grant award. This was also a fulfillment of our goal to seek out other funding sources, as was obtaining a surplus 41-ft. Coast Guard boat for Lake Michigan operations.

We increased local level law enforcement service through the use of small contracts with Towns and Villages, including and expanded contract with the Village of Waterford to include a School Resource Deputy through a grant.

We also completed the placement of portable Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's) in vehicles and key facilities locations.
 

2002 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•  Continue to foster a close working relationship with other law enforcement agencies in Racine County.
   
•  Seek out funding opportunities from various sources to enhance our operations and reduce operating costs to the taxpayer.
   
•  Support local law enforcement agencies in an effort to increase efficiency and maximize available resources.
   
•  Continue efforts to instill the attitude of service to the public.

COUNTY BOARD DIRECTIVE

Prior to the creation of the positions, the Sheriff must create a system that will allow us to directly track the revenue that results from thee positions. The 3 Deputy Sheriff Positions for Interstate Patrol will be sunsetted at the end of one year. It is requested the County Executive no to include these positions in next year's budget unless they produce the revenue promised in the amendment.