CLEVELAND — Several law enforcement and community officials gathered in Tremont on Monday for a press conference as they seek to reestablish the position of Cuyahoga County Sheriff as an elected office.
The Northeast Ohio Public Safety Foundation hosted the "Elect Our Sheriff" briefing that featured the following leaders on hand:
- Jonathan Petrea, Northeast Ohio Public Safety Foundation
- Colin Skikon, Laborers Local 860
- Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand
- Medina County Sheriff Terry Grice
- Stark County Sheriff George Maier
- Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zachowski
- Carroll County Sheriff Calvin Graham
- Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton
Out of Ohio's 88 counties, Cuyahoga is the only one whose sheriff is not an elected position.
There has been a revolving door of Cuyahoga County sheriffs or interim sheriffs since a 2010 charter amendment changed the sheriff position from an elected one to an appointed one.
Here is the list of those who have served as Cuyahoga County Sheriff since 2009:
- Robert Reid: May 2009 through February 2013
- Frank Bova: February 2013 through March 2015
- Clifford Pinkney: March 2015 through August 2019
- David Schilling (interim): August 2019 through January 2021
- Joe Greiner (interim): January 2021 through March 2021
- Christopher Viland: March 2021 through May 2022
- Steven Hammett (interim): May 2022 through February 2023
- Joe Greiner (interim): February 2023-present
"It's worth noting that here in Cuyahoga County, we have had nine sheriffs in 12 years," said Colin Skikon from Laborers Local Union 860. "And for anyone in Cleveland, you realize that's almost as terrible as (the number of) Browns' quarterbacks. The men and women of our department need some kind of continuance in leadership."
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has nominated Cleveland Division of Police Deputy Chief Harold Pretel to become the county's next sheriff. Pretel's appointment is pending approval by the Cuyahoga County Council, which could come on Tuesday. In the meantime, Joseph Greiner is serving as the Interim Cuyahoga County Sheriff, the second time he has been tapped for that role.
