The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department (KSD) is now known as the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KESO). KCE got a press release recently from Sgt. Coultrip that used the acronym KESO. We replied with an FYI, saying that there was a typo. He ignored us. Another press release followed. The same acronym – KESO. We then learned it wasn’t a typo. People on social media expressed how confusing this was. “It should be KSD or KCSO,” one resident said. Most agreed.
Many joked that it might be pronounced “Queso.” “I’ll bring the chips!” one man said on social media.
KESO isn’t going to be recognized by anyone. It will be confusing for the rest of the agency’s lifetime. It may seem like a small thing, but having an acronym that is very confusing and unrecognizable is going to cause problems over the years. KPD – Kenosha Police Department. Very easy. KESO. Is that a special type of samurai? Nope. It’s a law enforcement agency. The “E” is made up and arbitrary. Why? Not sure.
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department says it’s internal initials for the computer system has been KECO for decades. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the new name and acronym is “part of our effort to better align with modern standards and expectations while maintaining the same dedication to excellence that defines our team.”
While this weird decision and acronym might seem trivial, it also comes with a small price tag. The change could cost us tax payers up to $10,000 at the most. Instead of ordering new badges, squad decals, and other things right away all at once, they will just replace old items with new, reducing the exposure to the tax payers.
This publication is called Kenosha County Eye. We use KCE as an acronym. If we used KECE, people would think that this was the name of a 30-something character on a soap opera. We wouldn’t do it, as it doesn’t make sense. People would think that I was smoking dope or eating THC gummies with local defense attorney Ted Kmiec.
We hope, before it’s too late that the Sheriff reconsiders the acronym. It’s not the biggest issue we will face in the coming years, but everything that’s worth doing, is worth doing right.
KCE will continue to use KCSO, as to not confuse our readers. It’s a “cheesy” name, pun intended.
63 Responses
The name change is stupid. Leave it be. No right the taxpayer has to foot this bill. Tell the Sheriff to demote Coultrip for not being professional and returning your call. Probably a lefty too.
Ya and renaming the gulf of mexico is just as stupid and a waste of taxpayer money too.
Sounds like another Sam Kerkman idea. This change is so stupid. I’m sure the Sheriff has much more important things to do.
…. Sam (if this was her doing) trying to get little minutia type stuff through but this idea is just stupid.
Cleaning up backlogs of small changes all you want but this one affects us taxpayers out here more than you employees in there.
Rescind this change !!
It wasn’t Kerkman’s idea. It was Zoerner’s. It’s his office and Kerkman has no say in running it since it’s an elected position.
Apparently he doesn’t have more important things to do than this.
Would you like to continue to run your mouth about things you don’t know anything about?
It’s Trump’s fault ! 🖕
No this came out of the KEDOGE
Lol!
There must have been a tremendous amount of group think going on to spring this goofy idea into existence. This is like that time Marquette renamed the Golden Eagles to “Gold.” Fortunately, the alumni were so outraged that MU’s “leadership” had the good sense to rescind the change and it never took effect.
It is being changed because it should have happened a long time ago. It is the Sheriff’s Office, because it is an elected position. Just like the District Attorney’s OFFICE, County Clerk’s OFFICE, County Executive’s OFFICE, etc. it can’t be KCSO because Wisconsin also has Kewaunee County. Kenosha is KESO, because it is alphabetically before Kewaunee. Whenever Kenosha has sent any type of message to other agencies, it has been KESO for decades.
And the “E” isn’t made up or arbitrary, it’s the 2nd letter of KEnosha……
So you would be ok if it was KECOSHOF ? Get outta here with your wileirdness 😉
KESO is for internal use. Using it for external use with the public is why I’m saying it’s a bad idea.
Then it should be kept internal and things should just stay the same.
Yes, change is bad. It’s the way we’ve always done it.
It doesn’t make sense here.
Inter agency communication is just that, inter agency.
This Re-Branding doesn’t make sense HERE !
You’ve ran it both ways since the beginning of computers with No problem. Why change now ?
And Racine County Sheriffs Department is RASO. It’s a state thing … can’t blame them for trying to be more consistent. It’s just something people wanna complain about.
This is the correct answer
Kenosha County has plenty of actual issues, but they waste their time on this.
Get out there and keep the roadways and citizens safe, and stop worrying about menial shit.
Don’t know what the bottom line reasoning is for the name change, but maybe having it changed this way gives the Sheriff’s Office more control on decision making for his deputies and corrections officers. Just a thought…sometimes changing a name can put you in a different catagory, giving you more control of how things a run w/o HR making alot of the decisions. Again, just a thought.
Just another Republican thinking he knows better, when in reality he doesn’t know squat.
I agree. The name change is not needed. It has been KSD and KPD forever. KESO is the internal code and that is fine. I don’t see the problem with KSD. Nothing confusing about it.
Agreed.
KESO has been the state teletype system mnemonic for 50+ years. KEPD for Kenosha PD.
The Sheriff’s Department occupies a large amount of the county budget. If they want to redesign the letterhead that spits out of a laser printer and doesn’t cost anything more, have at it. But time, talent and money are better spent keeping the streets safe.
Can’t wait for Bristol someday.
2 Bristol Wisconsins
Sgt. Coultrip says this new acronym brings together the abbreviation with the computer system that has been in place for decades.
“The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department says it’s internal initials for the computer system has been KECO for decades. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the new name and acronym is “part of our effort to better align with modern standards and expectations while maintaining the same dedication to excellence that defines our team.” “
What problem for the more than 300 sheriffs department employees does this solve ??
Does disclosing this acronym give computer hackers knowledge of the system that they were not aware of before now ?? Time are changing.
Who made this decision ??
Sheriff Zoerner ?? Executive Kerkman ? Some unelected Someone inside the IT department for the sheriff office or county office ??
Does this save money by changing ??
If so, how and how much ??
Right now it’s reported to cost at least 10K though I understand the savings by only charging over time.
How does this change affect communications with neighboring sheriffs departments ??
Racine is still RCSO.
Lake County Illinois is still LCSO
Walworth is still WCSO
Washington, Winnebago and Walton Counties use WCSO too !!
So why isn’t Kenosha now KESO ??
And What does the “E” stand for ????
Go ahead and Google KESO and you get anything from Swedish cheese to world class lock cylinders.
Not to mention a Spanish Christian Radio Station out of Texas.
Mr Sheriff Zoerner. Why this Change ??
Inquiring minds want to know !?!?
Actually Racine County in teletypes is RASO
You’re incorrect. It’s all tied into the mnemonic for the Wisconsin TIME system. I haven’t worked there for over 30 years, so I can’t recall every county’s designation, but Racine Sheriff is RASO, Racine PD is RAPD, Marquette County Sheriff is MASO, etc. It generally follows the format of the first two letters are the jurisdiction (KEnosha, RAcine, etc) followed by the agency (SO for “Sheriffs Office” PD for “Police Department” etc.)
Great idea.And I like boys.
The 10 grand going to cover the cost of all the decals on the vehicles and equipment too?
Why is this a Good Idea ? I’m not seeing it.
What is Gained by this ? Anything ?
Is this how “Working for the Taxpayers is Done ?”
By Confusing Them ?
Again, how does this improve ANYTHING !
It’s not too late to rescind this decision.
A sheriffs dept has to answer to the county executive who decides where the money is spent. For example, a few months ago deputy was pulled out of intake court in the morning to “save money”. That left one armed deputy to secure the building, bring inmates out to court and back to their holding cell because of “saving money”. Which was wa terrible idea because that is the most vulnerable court room as there are no metal detectors or deputies checking people in.
Sheriff Zoerner had no say in the deputy being pulled to another area due to her office controlling his dept budget.
Now as a Sheriffs Office, Sheriff Zoerner can say who goes where and not worry about the county executive telling him where to spend his money or put his resources.
There’s a lot more to this, but this is just a small example.
Is the Sheriff dept.hanging out with KUSD to learn how to waste our money$$$$$
Actually, Walworth is WWSO, and Racine is RASO. And for those complaining about the cost, if you read the article, the plan is to switch to it over time, replacing KSD “stuff” as it wears out. They have a budget every year, and instead of buying new stuff that says Kenosha Sheriff’s Department, it will say Kenosha Sheriff’s Office.
I looked at both Racine and Walworth counties sheriff department websites and this is what I found.
Walworth does use WCSO but I couldn’t find WWSO anywhere.
(Text taken from their website)
“Units assigned to the CP operating within Unified Command (UC) with the LTPD will be Linn EMS, Linn Fire Department, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and a representative from FTD”
Racine used RCSO and RASO.
But the only reference to RASO is from 2013
(Text taken from their website)
“2013 RASO Annual Report
A Tradition Since 1836 Racine County Sheriff’s Office 2013 Annual Report 2 Table of Contents Message from the Sheriff”
(while RCSO is more current)
Amount Of $49,920.00 In Cooperation With Kenosha County, And Authorizing The Transfer Of Funds Within The Racine County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) 2015 Grant Budget And Transfer Of $7,480.00 From The RCSO2015 Budget To The RCSO 2015 Grant Budget Racine County Board September 22, 2015 Page 3
I try to check my information before I blab it on here
Just Saying …
Kevin.
My understanding of using a fake name is, as long as No Fraud is intended, anyone can use any name they want. (Legal documents and signatures aside)
As a side note, isn’t that what a part of Transgenderism is about ?
As for the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department.
You can as well as I can, call them whatever we want !! If I want to call them any derogatory name, I can. Free speech. Not that I would.
In your reporting on the KSD or KCSD or the KCSO.
It all gets you to the same place.
So if they send you a press release, print it verbatim. As you should. But when referencing them in a story, go ahead and use whatever 3 or 4 letters you want. Most of your readers are highly intelligent and will completely understand and follow along in the story without getting lost.
And as mentioned above, as long as no fraud is intended, no harm no foul.
Let the county led by a questionable Republican go ahead and change anything she wants. I mean, even the logo change last year was no big deal if you don’t mind a few bucks being wasted here or there.
But lets just kick this minutia to the curb and bask in the glory of the days ahead as we finally take back our government one agency and employee at a time.
Long live Conservatism !
Everything in life is numbers.
72 counties in Wi. Kenosha is 59
Anything Kenosha should start with
59. Easy as that
59SO
Kenosha is actually 30th alphabetically. Which if you look on the roof of their squads, you will see “3000.” Another state designation. KPD is 3001.
some bonehead millennial or the father of one at the department watches too much Tok Tok, why confuse the world?… maybe do some real police work to get a name for yourself, cuz this route ain’t workin’
This is the most…. Idea I have ever seen. Wow a lot of egos… At our expense.
What some people won’t do to fall first in an alphabetized listing….personally it sounds like a diet name…
Now, tell us, what’s a keystroke worth.
Yep, and of course it will cost taxpayers.
This is why no one takes these departments seriously anymore regardless of how many goodwill posts they put out about shopping with a cop or catching this or that bad guy. It’s just tone deaf in this day and age of policing.
We fight against people who say defund the police but then they turn around and waste manpower and money on this dumb shit.
Well the only people who were successful in our County in defunding the police is our current county board and county executive. The new budget cut a vwry sorely needed detective position along with a ton of money to cover overtime which will not go away just the funding for it. So sadly all the democrats who burnt down our city chanting defund the police were not successful but our Repuclican county executive was.
How about cutting the gas guzzling patrol trucks? They may need one or two pickups but the vehicle fleet is ridiculous.
How about letting us taxpayers vote on this ridiculous waste of money! It’s not bad enough that KUSD is after more of our money, now the Sheriff is coming after our wallets too??? I would vote a hard NO to this nonsense!
As far back as the 1980s, the teletype (TIME) designation for the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department has been KESO, Kenosha Police has been KEPD, because the system was built areond four character IDs (hence, Pleasant Prairie was PPPD, Twin Lakes was TLPD, etc.) Racine has been the same…RASO for the sheriff’s department and RAPD for Racine Police. There’s nothing confusing about the designation if you understand it’s been there for decades.
Kenosha County Sheriff. Don’t need an office or department.
I would think it’s
“ Kenosha emergency services office “
I kinda like the sound of that . I guess it’s less scary than the Sheriffs office.
Wouldn’t you think with critical typed communications, they’d spell out the ENTIRE name??
Seeing that four letter abbreviations can be EASILY confused???
Kind of insane really.
This bothers Joel and caputo so much they posted about this article. Talk about rent free. I hate Kevin’s page , but I stalk it and give him views
There’s nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I’ll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again, no, no
Yeah
Meet the new BOSS
Same as the old BOSS
Interesting. I’d like to better understand if the discrepancy between an internal and external name caused complications that impacted resources or budget. Long term impact could possibly justify the change. However, branding itself can cost thousands. There also could be legal and administrative costs (registrations, licensing etc.). I can’t imagine changing the acronym and name on all department vehicles, badges, signs alone for our size county would stay under 10k. Here’s what AI estimates:
1. **Vehicles**:
– **Vinyl Wraps or Decals**: Replacing decals on vehicles can range from $100 to $1,000 per vehicle, depending on the size and complexity of the design.
– **Paint Changes**: If a complete repaint is required, costs can range from $2,000 to $10,000 per vehicle.
2. **Equipment**:
– **Stickers or Decals**: Changing names on equipment (like radios, computers, etc.) can cost between $50 to $200 per item, depending on the type of equipment.
– **Replacement Costs**: If equipment needs to be replaced due to branding, this could be significantly higher.
3. **Signs**:
– **Building and Outdoor Signs**: Costs can vary from $500 to $5,000 per sign, depending on size, materials, and installation costs.
– **Internal Signage**: Smaller internal signs may cost between $50 to $500 each.
4. **Uniforms**:
– **New Uniforms**: Replacing uniforms with the new name can cost between $50 to $150 per uniform, depending on the style and quantity ordered.
5. **Stationery and Other Materials**:
– **Business Cards, Letterhead, etc.**: Changing printed materials can cost from $200 to $1,000, depending on the volume and quality.
6. **Total Estimated Costs**:
– For a medium-sized sheriff’s department, the total costs for changing names on vehicles, equipment, signs, and uniforms could range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the number of items and the extent of the rebranding.
Internal procedures versus external branding don’t necessarily cross paths.
This is a government agency not a business which would be worried about lost sales or customer confusion.
As admitted this has been this way for DECADES !!
If it’s not broke don’t fix it.
Especially if it cost money
Executive Kerkman. Please explain how this is a good idea. You don’t have to get in front of a camera just issue a press release.
Inquiring minds want to know
I guess I will not be doing any more business with them.
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department IS a department of the county. Save the dollars! The cost to the taxpayer is unnecessary and an example of spending gone mad. No public over site apparently. Think about the impact on business cards, stationary, publications as well as badges, squad lettering and more. WHY?
Does this mean a weapons/contraband searches will be called a KESO Frisk-o?
Am I to call 911 when my cheese dip recipe fails? That’d be in KESO emergency.
I’ll show myself out. 😁
Who designed and authorized the new badge/patch? It looks like some recycled toy from the 80s that sometime thought was cool back in the day and never let go of that idea. A badge with a shield behind it? Shields are for the PD! Badges are for the SD! This isn’t Illinois with their goofy ass Sheriff’s Police, this is Wisconsin! Stop trying to be something you aren’t! Hey Zoerner, rescind these decisions before you make a complete and permanent ass out of yourself.
I know several deputies and they all say the same thing. Changing to Sheriffs Office was good, the acronym is stupid and sounds like queso so the joke is always about cheese. Supposedly nothing cam be done about it
I’m sure the change will enhance their high standards. What a crock. So why is it so good to change after all these years??
PD and Fire are also technically designated as KEPD and KEFIR.
Will they be changing too?
California Highway Patrol will be at the unveiling ceremony for the new acronym, come out for CHIPS con KESO
New slogan
Work for KESO earn some PESO’S
Maybe this will get you to start looking into the KSD and KPD spending. Biggest budgets most waisted money!!!