New era begins as Milwaukee County welcomes new sheriff Monday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Denita Ball officially assumed leadership of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office at midnight Monday, following the departure of Earnell Lucas at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23.

Sheriff Ball officially became the acting sheriff while Lucas has moved into the private sector, accepting a position as vice president of security for Wisconsin at Fiserv. The rest of her leadership team is expected to be appointed and announced in the coming days.

In a Monday morning press release, the MCSO noted that Ball is the first female and fourth African-American Sheriff of Milwaukee County. While she is the 'acting' sheriff right now, she is running unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election. That makes her the presumptive next sheriff to be sworn into a full four-year term in early January.

Ball noted that she is proud to accept the position's responsibility, while also saying that the gravity of being Milwaukee's Sheriff is not something lost on her.

"We have all heard the adage that with great power comes great responsibility, and it is my responsibility and my promise to work with the men and women of this great agency to promote best practices, bolster their ranks, and improve working conditions."

She also listed some of her top priorities as collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, local leaders and community organizations to help diminish violent and non-violent crimes in the area. Improving recruitment and retention efforts, Ball says, will also help to improve the effort to make Milwaukee County a safer place to live.