COMMUNITY. ACCOUNTABILITY.
JUSTICE.
Kalvin Barrett will use his unique perspective as an African American professional--with experience in the field as a peace officer, in the jail as a sheriff’s deputy, and as an educator and trainer of the next generation of peace officers--to continue building a Sheriff’s Office that works for and with the community. As your Sheriff, Kalvin will prioritize:
Public safety and community engagement.
All residents of Dane County deserve to be treated with humanity, dignity, and respect. Kalvin will work with the community to deliver a high level of service to the people of Dane County--on our roads, in our neighborhoods, in our courts, and in our jail facilities. While in office, Kalvin’s goal is to continue to increase the integrity, honor, and trust of the Dane County Sheriff's Office.
Rebuilding fractured relationships.
Many of our community members have a strained relationship with law enforcement, and understandably so. Rebuilding those relationships is a challenging but crucial responsibility of the Dane County Sheriff’s office. Kalvin will work to earn back trust through accountability and transparency. He will provide data and work swiftly to identify and separate those who are not upholding the integrity of their oath.
Lowering our jail population through diversionary programs.
Kalvin will serve and protect all Dane County residents--including those who are under supervision. For those in the county’s custody, Kalvin will work to provide the best possible care. By identifying and addressing needs, the Sheriff’s Office can provide them with the tools they need to be successful and not return to our facilities--reducing recidivism. Kalvin also acknowledges that many people end up in the penal system whose needs would be better served by social services, and he will work to make that a reality.
Building a Sheriff’s Office that reflects our community.
Representation matters. A Sheriff’s Office that is representative of its community at all levels allows its peace offices to provide insight not only from a professional standpoint but a personal one, too. The Sheriff’s Office needs to evolve to be an environment that is inclusive to all of our community members, with leaders who reflect the communities that we all love to serve.
MEET KALVIN.
Kalvin Barrett is currently serving as the 53rd Dane County Sheriff. He was appointed by Governor Tony Evers following the retirement of former Sheriff, David Mahoney. Kalvin brings over a decade of experience as a peace officer, educator, and trainer to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and continues the work of building an agency that reflects and responds to the communities it serves.
Originally from the San Diego area, Kalvin came to Madison in 2000 to attend the University of Wisconsin and to play football for the Wisconsin Badgers under legendary coach Barry Alvarez. Kalvin graduated in 2004 with a degree in sociology. During this time, he fell in love with the community and culture of Dane County.
Kalvin then moved to Texas to inspire junior high students as a science teacher and coach. In 2009, he returned to Dane County to begin his career as a peace officer, starting as a deputy at the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. In 2011, he joined the Sun Prairie Police Department as the first Black officer hired in the department’s history. Kalvin served as a Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Officer assigned to the dignitary protection team since 2019.
Most recently, Kalvin was an instructor at Madison College and a Faculty Director of the Criminal Justice Studies Program emphasizing community-oriented policing, professional development and diversity, amongst other topics. Kalvin was the lead Defense and Arrest Tactics instructor in the Madison College Law Enforcement Academy, and taught fundamentals of criminal justice, and agency policy as well.
Kalvin completed a master’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2020. Kalvin and his wife have two daughters who enjoy the outdoors and community service.
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