Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

Charmaine is originally from Cincinnati. She has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati. Charmaine lives in Cincinnati with her wife, Christine.

Charmaine previously served as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and major in the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Charmaine McGuffey currently serves as Hamilton County Sheriff. She was elected in 2020 and is seeking reelection for her 2nd term. 

Candidate website

Supports holding deputies accountable for excessive use of force.

Believes in ensuring "equal justice for everyone who encounters her staff."

Supports training staff in implicit bias, diversity, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and cultural competency.

Believes safety is paramount, aiming to create secure communities and safe environments for deputies and incarcerated individuals.

As sheriff, requires deputies to use de-escalation when faced with aggressive encounters and use the necessary level of force needed for the safety of those deputies and the community at large.

Supports "fair labor laws and safe working conditions for the hard working men and women in labor."

- Supports holding deputies accountable for excessive use of force.
- Believes in ensuring "equal justice for everyone who encounters her staff."
- Supports training staff in implicit bias, diversity, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and cultural competency.
- Believes safety is paramount, aiming to create secure communities and safe environments for deputies and incarcerated individuals.
- As sheriff, requires deputies to use de-escalation when faced with aggressive encounters and use the necessary level of force needed for the safety of those deputies and the community at large.
- Supports "fair labor laws and safe working conditions for the hard working men and women in labor."

Public Safety

As commander of Jail and Court Services, formed a committee that collaborated with social service groups throughout the county to allow targeted engagement with incarcerated people.

As commander of Jail and Court Services, created a program to bring services and treatment to veterans.

As commander of Jail and Court Services, created a specialized group to provide life skills for incarcerated men who are nearing their release date and a recovery pod with treatment and community services for heroin-addicted women.

Said, "progressive jail policy reform, with a focus on rehabilitative, rather than punitive strategies, results in lower recidivism and overall healthier communities ... people who are incarcerated should be offered opportunities and services during incarceration that increase their chances of success upon release ... within our criminal justice system, we can do better."

- As commander of Jail and Court Services, formed a committee that collaborated with social service groups throughout the county to allow targeted engagement with incarcerated people.
- As commander of Jail and Court Services, created a program to bring services and treatment to veterans.
- As commander of Jail and Court Services, created a specialized group to provide life skills for incarcerated men who are nearing their release date and a recovery pod with treatment and community services for heroin-addicted women.
- Said, "progressive jail policy reform, with a focus on rehabilitative, rather than punitive strategies, results in lower recidivism and overall healthier communities ... people who are incarcerated should be offered opportunities and services during incarceration that increase their chances of success upon release ... within our criminal justice system, we can do better."

Jail Management

Supports no-cash bail for low-level, non-violent crimes, believing that incarcerating people due to inability to pay bail exacerbates poverty and undermines community safety.

Believes in incarcerating dangerous criminals but wants to keep non-violent and presumed innocent people employed and with their families as they work through the legal system.

Believes in incarcerating "dangerous prisoners" but wants to keep non-violent and presumed innocent people employed and with their families as they work through the legal system.

Believes in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Supports efforts to reduce the cycle of repeat offenders with proven addiction, mental health, and job services for prisoners.

- Supports no-cash bail for low-level, non-violent crimes, believing that incarcerating people due to inability to pay bail exacerbates poverty and undermines community safety.
- Believes in incarcerating "dangerous prisoners" but wants to keep non-violent and presumed innocent people employed and with their families as they work through the legal system.
- Believes in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Supports efforts to reduce the cycle of repeat offenders with proven addiction, mental health, and job services for prisoners.

Criminal Justice

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Charmaine McGuffey

Supports the use of de-escalation techniques by deputies in aggressive encounters to ensure safety for both deputies and the community.

Believes in serving every member of the public with excellence.

As a former member of the Ohio Jail Administration Board, the candidate has experience in jail management.

Supports addressing sexual harassment and abuse in correctional facilities.

Completed Leadership Cincinnati, a program that develops community leaders.

Supports criminal justice reform and has been a member of the Human Rights Campaign.

Former board member of the Cincinnati Woman’s Club.

Believes in ensuring justice and fair treatment for all.

Served as a board member for the Cincinnati Union Bethel, which provides services such as housing, employment, and counseling to individuals with criminal records and those struggling with addiction.

Promises to uphold the same standards she requires of her deputies and other staff of her Office.

As of September 4, 2024, Charmaine McGuffey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Charmaine McGuffey is the Hamilton County Sheriff. She previously served as a Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Jail Service Officer in the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

- The County Sheriff has complete police jurisdiction over all municipalities, and provides full police protection to the unincorporated areas of the county.
- The County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the laws of Ohio and the United States. 
- County Sheriffs are responsible for operating and maintaining the county jail. 
- The County Sheriff aids the Common Pleas Court with security during trials, issues warrants, and serves court orders. 
- County Sheriffs are elected to 4 year terms. 

The chief law enforcement officer in the county.