Sheriff M. Strickland manages his deputies, who are usually uniformed deputies who patrol and maintain order in the community. The sheriff monitors and directs deputies as they perform the following duties:
The sheriff is also responsible for managerial and clerical office duties, which may include filling out paperwork on warrants and complaints, reviewing patrol logs, overseeing hiring and training of deputies, managing the county jail, writing and distributing the budget. The sheriff also may be responsible for, or at least take part in, public forums on policing matters, as well as community outreach programs.
The Criminal Investigation Division is made up of two full time investigators.
Each year, the Criminal Investigation Division works an average of 50 to 100 cases per year. The two investigators conduct investigations on all types of crimes including burglary, theft, drug offenses and death investigations. Some of the many duties of the Criminal Investigation Division include but are not limited to, processing evidence at crime scenes, preparing affidavits for arrest warrants and Search Warrants, investigating fatality accidents, and assisting other agencies in investigations.
Once a uniformed deputy takes a report, the Criminal Investigation Division will evaluate the report to see if an investigation is to be conducted. The factors that are used to determine if an investigation is to be conducted, include but are not limited to, if potential suspects exist, whether there is evidence available or evidence that can be obtained that would identify a suspect and if the victim is willing to prosecute the suspects.
Once the investigation is started, the investigators will gather all information related to the case including any evidence that may be necessary for prosecution of a case. Once the investigation is completed, the case file is then turned over to the Prosecuting Attorney for review to determine if charges are to be filed in the case. If anyone has information concerning any crime, including drug activity, they can contact the Criminal Investigation Division at the Sheriff’s Office.
Fugitive Recovery Task Force (F.R.T.F.)
Executes warrants and wanted persons searches
Security Protection Services Division (S.P.S.D.)
Responsible for the protection and transport of highly valuable assets and persons during times of high alert
Covert Operations and Intelligence Division (C.O.I.D.)
Conducts undercover operations in order to stop illegal activity and criminal enterprises
Becoming a Detective is a serious role and a privilege, and all Detectives are held to a high standard of professionalism as well as having strict training requirements.
The Civil Process Division is located at the White County Sheriff’s Office and is operated during normal business hours. This division is under the direct supervision of Cpl B. Justice. The civil process division is responsible for the following:
The Dispatchers are found without consolidated 911 operations that handle dispatches for all manner of emergency. In these locations, a 911 call taker receives the call and finds out the nature of the emergency. If the caller is in need of sheriff assistance, they are then put in contact with a sheriff dispatcher.
Sheriff dispatchers must:
Sheriff dispatchers must also answer non-emergency phone calls, which require recording the information and informing deputies of the incident. Sheriff dispatchers may even to provide emergency medical assistance to the caller over the phone while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Additional administrative duties for sheriff dispatchers often include typing official statements, assisting people who want to file complaints, and keeping general office records.
The White County Jail and Detention Center is under the supervision and direction of the jail administrator.
All persons who are arrested within White County and taken into custody are transported to the Detention Center for booking and incarceration. The Detention Center consists of two (2) bed housing areas for male inmates and two (2) bed housing area for female inmates. The Detention Center houses both pre-trial detainees and post-conviction inmates who are serving sentences or awaiting transport to the Department of Corrections.
The Patrol Division is under the direct supervision of Sergeant S. Jensen. Patrol deputies are responsible for answering and handling all complaint calls and calls for service or assistance from members of the public. Deputies also enforce state laws and county ordinances throughout all areas of White County. Deputies respond to crimes in progress, take reports, serve warrants, investigate accidents on county roads, and perform a wide array of related duties. They also provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies in White County and surrounding areas.
The primary duty of the Traffic Enforcement Unit is to enforce traffic laws in the Town to reduce and help manage traffic collisions while keeping the flow of traffic as fluid as possible. T.E.U focuses in areas of high crash rate and areas of high D.U.I drivers. Speed is a key factor in T.E.U as our response times are unmatched yet safe to the public. Our main focus is to keep the streets fluid for traffic, reduce D.U.I incidents, and respond to priority vehicle chase situations.
The White County Sheriff’s Office utilizes Reserve Deputies on various occasions. While on duty, these deputies have the same power of arrest as a full-time deputy. Reserve Deputies are not paid; instead, volunteer their time to the Sheriff’s Office to help provide services to the citizens of White County. Reserve Deputies enforce all state and local laws the same as full-time officers and are required to handle any type of situation that may arise. Reserve Deputies frequently fill in for full-time deputies when needed.
Additionally, Reserve Deputies must work a minimum of eight hours per month to maintain their certification in accordance with State Law. The White County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputies meet once a month for training.
Strategic Response Team (SRT) responds upon the request of the Incident Commander (IC) to barricade/hostage episodes, and/or suicide intervention, as well as initiate service of high risk warrants for all Department entities.
The Incident Commander shall request SRT when at a barricaded or hostage incident when the suspect is probably armed; the suspect is believed to have been involved in a criminal act or is a significant threat to the lives and safety of the public and/or sheriff; the suspect is in a position of advantage, affording cover and concealment or is contained in an open area and the presence or approach of sheriff deputies could precipitate an adverse reaction by the suspect; and, the suspect refuses to submit to arrest.
The first Strategic Response Team (SRT) Unit consisted of Five-man teams. Members of each team, who volunteered from the ranks of patrol and other deputy assignments, had specialized experience and prior military service. Each unit was activated for monthly training or when the need for special weapons personnel actually arose. These units, known as "station defense teams," provided for sheriff facilities during civil unrest.
The White County Sheriff’s Office utilizes K-9 officers for search and rescue, bomb detection, as well as drug interdiction. White County currently has one (1) K-9. K-9 Dreamer and her handler Deputy M. Marshal. The sheriff’s office utilizes “dual purpose” K-9. Currently there are one (1) narcotics/patrol dog. The K-9 unit is a self sufficient unit that does not rely on the general budget. All money used for the unit is utilized from drug seizures and a 1 week K-9 recertification that the unit hosts every year. The money generated from this training takes care of dog food, medical expenses and any equipment needed by the unit. The unit trains 16 hours a month and re-certify every year to stay in compliance with federal guidelines. The unit hosts 2 training days a month and several other K-9 units attend the training. The handlers take the K-9’s home with them and are responsible for the K-9’s on & off duty. When a K-9 retires they are given to the handler by the department and the handler then assumes all responsibilities of the retired K-9. The K-9 units complete several K-9 demonstrations during the year and if anyone is interested please contact the department.
The White County Sheriff’s Office has 4 boats. Our vessels range from small rescue inflatable boats and Wave Runners, to our biggest triple engine boat. This fleet has the most advanced and state-of-the-art technology built in, including towable side scan sonar, underwater ROV and UAV’s.
Deputies who are assigned this specialty unit are well-versed in White County waters and boating safety and laws. They are trained and available to perform rescues, conduct investigations, and patrol our waterways.
Our Marine Unit was recently recognized with the Golden Lifejacket Award for our diligence during search and rescue calls.
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