MCSO hosts hiring event, hopes to find members of Latino community

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A hiring event took place for the Milwaukee County Jail on Thursday, Jan. 11. 

It is their first on the spot hiring event they've held on the south side, hoping to find members of the Latino community to fill the remaining open jobs. 

They say all qualified applicants are welcome, but today they wanted to focus on a community they say hasn't always gotten positive attention in the law enforcement community. 

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the jail has had a hard time staffing in recent years, but they're finally turning the corner. 

They have 250 positions budgeted, at one-point last year they had staffing below 120 people. 

Now, their staff sits over 200 and holding steady, they say.

The event today could fill up their remaining positions. 

"We're looking for people with good, moral character, maybe some experience might help, those are always pluses too," said Deputy Kristine Rodriguez. 

The event was held a the UMOS Center on Chase Ave. 

This is the first hiring event following correctional officer pay raises to $30 an hour starting salary. 

The raise went into effect at the start of the year.