Jim Neil is a law-enforcement veteran of nearly 40 years and second-generation law-enforcement officer, who served two terms as the Sheriff of Hamilton County, Ohio. Jim and his wife Kim live in Sayler Park with their two adopted sons.
Jim is currently a candidate for Sheriff in 2024.
Education
After graduating from Western Hills High School, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. Afterward, he was hired into the Corrections Division of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in 1981.
Committed to improving his education and training — and while working full time with the Sheriff’s Office — Jim returned to UC, where he obtained a master’s degree in Graduate Studies and Research. He also graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command program at Northwestern University in Chicago and completed more than 5,000 hours of job training and education through the Sheriff’s Office.
Law-Enforcement Experience
During his time in the Sheriff’s Office, Jim served in both the jail and patrol divisions, rising from sheriff’s deputy to sheriff’s lieutenant before his retirement in 2011. Jim is trained in traffic-accident reconstruction, as a bomb technician, and as a hazmat technician. He also served as a D.A.R.E. officer and as an instructor in the Basic Corrections Academy and the Basic Patrol Academy, where he served as school commander.
During his tenure in the Sheriff’s Office, Jim Neil has received the Greater Cincinnati Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer Award, the Fraternal Order of Police Act of Bravery Award, the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association Medal of Honor, the Hamilton County Police Association Medal of Valor, and the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor Award.
Accomplishments as Hamilton County Sheriff
While Sheriff, Jim not only provided Hamilton County residents with the services they expected, but improved the quality of the services they received.
Jim worked hard to address taxpayer waste and reduced the budget deficit every year he held office — even as he increased law-enforcement services in the county.
Sheriff Neil was instrumental in the fight against heroin in Hamilton County. Employing a policy of treatment, education, and enforcement, Jim worked with city and county law-enforcement officers and community leaders to create the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition Task Force. His office supplied deputies and resources to the task force, which became a state-wide model for dealing with the heroin epidemic. As part of this effort, Neil posted billboards throughout the county urging citizens to report heroin dealers, leading to a 1,000% increase in telephone tips to the Regional Enforcement Narcotic Unit.
Under the leadership of Jim Neil, the Sheriff’s Office provided law-enforcement services to more citizens in Hamilton County than ever before, providing primary police service to nine unincorporated townships or five municipalities within the county, encompassing 200,000 residents, 207 square miles, and 1,000 miles of federal, state, county, township, and municipal roadways.
Education
- Cincinnati School District, Western Hills High School, Diploma 1976
- University of Cincinnati, Associate of Science in Law Enforcement, 1978
- University of Cincinnati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, 1980
- University of Cincinnati, Master of Science in Graduate Studies and Research, 1984
- Northwestern University, School of Police Staff and Command
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, completed more than 5,000 hours of job training and education
Experience in Sheriff’s Office
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Jail Division, 1981-1987
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Patrol Division, 1987-2011
- Hamilton County Sheriff, 2013 – 2021
Special Assignments
- Basic Corrections Academy Instructor
- Traffic Accident Reconstruction
- Drug Abuse Resistance Education Instructor
- Bomb Technician (Bomb Squad Commander)
- Hazmat Technician
- Basic Patrol Academy Instructor
- Basic Patrol Academy School Commander
Ranks in Sheriff’s Office
- Sheriff’s Deputy, 1981-1990
- Sheriff’s Corporal, 1990-2001
- Sheriff’s Sergeant, 2001-2005
- Sheriff’s Lieutenant, 2005-2011
- Hamilton County Sheriff, 2013 – 2021
Honors as Law-Enforcement Officer
- College of Community Services award in recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement and Community Service, 1980
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Contribution to the Success of “The Basic Corrections Academy”
- The Greater Cincinnati Jaycees, Greater Cincinnati Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer, 1987
- Fraternal Order of Police, Act of Bravery, 1987
- Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, Medal of Honor, 1987
- Hamilton County Police Association, Police Officer of the Year, 1988
- The National Sheriff’s Association, Medal of Valor, 1988
- The Friend of Children PTA award, 1997
- A.R.E. Association of Ohio, Certificate of Appreciation with 10 or More Continuous Years of Service, 2001
- S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bomb Data Center, Certificate of Appreciation, 2003
- The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Attendance Award 2010
- Great Oaks Distinguished Alumni Award
- CECH College Distinguished Alumni Award
- University of Cincinnati Distinguished Alumni Award
Professional Affiliations
- Fraternal Order of Police, Western Hamilton County, Ohio – Lodge #113
- Fraternal Order of Police, Association of Retired Cincinnati and Hamilton County Police Officers
- Loyal Order of Moose Lodge and Kentucky Colonels
