Hamilton County Sheriff's Office history

Road Patrol personnel were uniformed in the 1920s.

On January 1, 1949 the Radio Communication Department began operation.

In 1952 when the Radio Center moved to Ridgeway Avenue, a 260 foot radio tower was erected along with a transmitter equipment building to house the broadcasting equipment.

By 1955, the Radio Center was handling a total of 123,004 telephone complaints, as indicated by registers which were installed by the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company to assist in recording workload statistics.

Ohio sheriffs and deputies have worn a standardized uniform since 1960 when the Ohio Legislature adopted new five-point star badges along with new patches, both using the term “Deputy Sheriff.”

In January, 1961, the Communication Center was moved from 201 Ridgeway Avenue, in Hartwell, and into a new facility on Hamilton Ave.

In 1964 a direct teletype line was established between Hamilton County Radio Center and the Ohio State Patrol Switching Center in Columbus.

In 1966 the Teletype Network was again expanded and reached into Butler County and Northern Kentucky.

On August 22, 1975 a brand new Communication Center was dedicated.

Mike is a veteran Hamilton County Telecommunicator who has served as a dispatcher, radio room supervisor and as our Technical Services Manager since his career began back in 1984.

William H. Hinkle, the Communications Center’s Operations Director was appointed as Director in the summer of 1998, to replace Tom Burroughs.

Andy left the Communications Center in 1999 to take a position with Loveland-Symmes Fire Department as a Deputy Chief and was tasked with the startup and operation of the Northeast Communications Center.

Near the end of 2004 the City of Cincinnati placed its 10 site, 20 channel Motorola Smartzone, Astro 25, simulcast, trunked radio system in service.

In 2005 federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grand funds enhanced the radio system with the addition of integrated voice and data (IV&D). The IV&D enhancement allowed for mobile data computers to be installed in fire and EMS apparatus, stations and in hospitals.