County

Budget Department : SHERIFF-CORONER

* Other includes all segments less than 1% of the total. Negative segments are not shown.

SHERIFF-CORONER

The Sheriff�s Office strives to be continually engaged and responsive to community needs. To that end, this budget reflects the following programmatic changes.

OPERATIONS BUREAU

FOCUSED INTERVENTION TEAM (FIT)

Responding to increased concerns of aggressive behavior throughout the County, the Sheriff�s Office has implemented focused intervention efforts on those offenders who habitually act aggressive but refuse to receive treatment or assistance. The program combines deputies and mental health clinicians to identify key offenders, conduct special enforcement operations and engage offenders through evidence-based practices to promote linkage to recovery-focused services and treatment. Mid-year staffing changes in 2018-19 reflect the addition of three staff positions for the FIT program.

CANNABIS COMPLIANCE UNIT (CCU)

The Cannabis Compliance Unit began operations in August 2018. Deputies work closely with the County Cannabis Licensing Manager to assist in ensuring compliance for regulated cannabis businesses and to reduce non-regulated cannabis operations. In September, Chief Deputy Steve Carney began a temporary assignment to work with the County Administrative Office to create a reliable system for the enforcement of the complex and evolving state laws and county regulations surrounding cannabis. The budget reflects the transfer of costs for two deputies in the CCU from the Cannabis Licensing Office to the Sheriff�s Office.

CORRECTIONS BUREAU



SAFETY IN THE JAILS

Protecting inmate safety remains a high priority. The budget reflects the following changes to assist in these efforts. The addition of a Deputy Detective to investigate instances of sexual assault within the inmate population. The addition of two Mental health Client Specialists for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program. The program is supported through grant funding and assists in establishing a foundation of sobriety, coping skills and education for individual treatment needs while in custody. In addition, one K9 Correctional Officer is being added to the Drug Detection Program to assist with reducing the influx of drugs to the inmate population

FORENSICS LABORATORY EXPANSION

The Sheriff�s Office continually plans for the future of law enforcement work. Included in this budget is the implementation of plans to prepare to add DNA analysis to the Forensic Services Laboratory. In pursuit of lab accreditation, two Criminalists positions have been added along with services and supplies expenses for specialized computer equipment. It is anticipated that with local DNA processing we will be able to obtain results within 72 hours for cases involving homicide or sexual assault, and within a week for arsons, assaults, burglaries and other felonies. The DNA database will link to state and federal repositories to search for matches.

ADDITIONAL CHANGES

This budget also provides for one additional Deputy to be assigned to work with the Probation Department, cost increases for the maintenance of all facilities (Main Jail, Rountree, Blaine Street and Sheriff�s Office Headquarters) as well as for outfitting staff with up-to-date equipment, including tasers and equipment vests that are intended to replace belt-worn equipment, reducing the potential for injuries and workers compensation claims. Other main areas of cost increases are primarily costs associated with medical care and food for the inmate population.

For additional information please see the full budget document.