Harold Pretel, Sheriff

Sheriff Pretel has over 30 years of law enforcement experience.

He served as deputy chief of homeland special operations with the Cleveland Police Department. In that role, he oversaw the bureaus of Special Investigations, Special Services and Homeland Services. During his time with the city police department, he was awarded the Medal of Heroism, the Distinguished Service Medal, a Special Commendation and several Community Service Awards.

Pretel served in Japan, Korea, and California as a Military Police Officer for the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Corporal.

He received an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Baldwin Wallace University, a master’s degree in social administration with a concentration in Community Development from Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s in security studies, Homeland Security, and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department is responsible for:

• Local police assistance
• Court security
• Jail operations
• Detective bureau
• Narcotics task force
• Offender unit
• SWAT teams
• Marine patrol
• Service of warrants and subpoenas
• Foreclosure sales
• Human Trafficking Task Force

Fiscal Information
The mission of the CCSD's Fiscal Department is to make sure that tax dollars are spent prudently and judiciously while assuring that identified needs are fulfilled as expediently and cost effectively as possible.

Human Trafficking Task Torce
The CCSD supervises & houses the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force which covers the counties of Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula.

Sheriff's Total Budget by Division
*numbers in millions