Knowles launches bid to become first female sheriff

Ozaukee County Undersheriff Christy Knowles could become the county’s first female sheriff when she runs for the position next fall.

But Knowles, who announced her run for the office Tuesday, said that’s not what drives her.

“It is exciting. Yeah, it would be neat. But it never has driven me to try for the number one position,” she said. 

“Every position I’ve had, you know you’re the first female. I am a minority when it comes to this position,” she continued, noting women make up 12% of the law enforcement officers in the U.S. “But I work with a bunch of great men. Never once did I feel out of place.”

Sheriff Jim Johnson on Tuesday also announced that he will not seek re-election in fall 2022, adding he is endorsing Knowles’ candidacy.

“She has a passion for the community and the law enforcement profession,” Johnson said. “She understands the community. Her experience and leadership speak for themselves. She truly cares about our citizens and  doing the right things for the right reasons.”

Johnson is her mentor, Knowles said.

“I love where I work. We have good people, dedicated,” she said. “We have a great agency. We really live and work in a great community.”

It’s a difficult time for law enforcement, with calls to defund police being made around the country after numerous racial incidents involving officers, Knowles said.

  “It takes a toll on us,” she said of the negative publicity, adding that the publicity is reflective of 1% of officers, not the majority.  

But, she added, communities in Ozaukee County have been supportive of the Sheriff’s Office and police departments.

Knowles, 45, is a 22-year veteran of the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office and has served as a jailer, patrol officer, detective, lieutenant in charge of patrol and captain of operations before being named undersheriff — the second highest ranking office in the department — in 2019.

The only position in the department she hasn’t held, she said, was sergeant, going from detective to lieutenant.

“You choose a path of supervisory positions or the detective’s bureau,” Knowles said, and she became a detective.

“That was my favorite position,” she said. “Sensitive crimes is where I excelled.”

Her goal was not to become a member of the command staff, Knowles said.

“I truly believed I was going to retire as a detective,” she said. But others saw her potential and talked her into advancing in the department.

Knowles took a circuitous route to the sheriff’s department. 

She attended Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, taking classes in a variety of subjects, until the day her mother suggested she apply to the sheriff’s department since she had once indicated an interest in law enforcement.

The day she started work in the jail, Knowles said, “I knew instantly this is where I’m meant to be.”

She got her training through the sheriff’s department, but also graduated from the Northwestern University Police Staff and Command College and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

In addition, Knowles is a certified defense and arrest tactics instructor who teaches at the Waukesha County Technical College law enforcement recruit academy.

Knowles is a member of the Legislative Committee of the Wisconsin Sheriff’s and Deputy Sheriff’s Association and FBI National Academy Associates.

She is coordinator of the county’s crisis intervention team committee and a member of the coordinated services team for Ozaukee Family Services.  

She played an integral role in developing the county’s critical incident debrief team and peer support team.

Knowles described her management style as collaborative, calling herself a team player.

“I look to take input from my team,” she said, not just the command staff but also the line staff. 

She also leads by example, she said.

“Every position here, I worked hard at what I did,” she said. 

Knowles has also been active in the community and outreach programs. 

She is involved in Ozaukee County 4-H, has been a Girl Scout leader, youth basketball coach and Boy Scout advancement coordinator.

“Any chance I get to be with our youths, I’m right on it,” said the mother of three teenagers. “If I carry a positive image for law enforcement to them at their age, that’s huge.”

Knowles said she is proud of the fact a number of the young girls and women she’s met in the county have told her they are considering a job in law enforcement after seeing what she has accomplished.

If elected, she said, she doesn’t envision making any sweeping changes in the department.

“What Sheriff Johnson has set up and done for us is great,” she said. “I want to see it for myself from that position.”

While Knowles is the first to throw her hat into the ring, she acknowledged there may be others. She hasn’t heard of anyone else contemplating a run, but said it wouldn’t surprise her.

“I think I’m supported by all our local law enforcement agencies,” she said. “I have a good relationship with them. I do believe I’m the best for the position. I know our agency, and I know our people.

“I’m excited to see where this is going.”