Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in Sedgwick County, Kansas. It is responsible for providing a wide range of services to ensure public safety, including law enforcement, court services, and jail and detention center operations.
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, its history, structure, roles and responsibilities, divisions, and resources available to the public. It aims to inform residents and visitors of Sedgwick County about the Sheriff's Office and its services, as well as the tools available to them to stay informed and safe.
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A Short History of Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1870, following the creation of Sedgwick County in 1867. The first Sheriff of Sedgwick County was William Mathewson, who served from 1871 to 1875. Since then, the Sheriff's Office has evolved and expanded to meet the growing needs of the community. Major events in the history of the Sheriff's Office include the implementation of 911 emergency services in 1985, the creation of the Sedgwick County Detention Center in 1991, and the establishment of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Crime Stoppers program in 1977.
The Sheriff and Office Contact Information
The current Sheriff of Sedgwick County is Jeff Easter, who was elected to the position in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is located at 141 W Elm St, Wichita, KS 67203. The office can be reached by phone at (316) 660-3900, or by email. The office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
Roles of the Sheriff's Office
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is responsible for a wide range of services, including law enforcement, court services, and jail and detention center operations.
The law enforcement responsibilities of the Sheriff's Office include responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, conducting investigations, and enforcing state and local laws. The Sheriff's Office also operates a patrol division that provides uniformed patrols throughout the county.
The court services responsibilities of the Sheriff's Office include serving civil and criminal court papers, such as subpoenas and warrants, and providing security for the county courthouse and courtrooms.
The jail and detention center responsibilities of the Sheriff's Office include managing the Sedgwick County Detention Center, which houses inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences. The Sheriff's Office also provides rehabilitation programs for inmates, such as substance abuse treatment and job training.
Divisions of the Sheriff's Office
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division is responsible for providing uniformed patrols throughout the county to ensure public safety. The duties of the Patrol Division include:
- Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service from the public
- Conducting traffic stops to enforce traffic laws and ensure road safety
- Providing security for events and public gatherings, such as parades and fairs
- Conducting welfare checks on individuals who may be in distress
- Conducting investigations of crimes that occur in their patrol area
- Building relationships with the community to improve trust and cooperation between law enforcement and residents
Investigations Division
The Investigations Division is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and collecting evidence to build cases for prosecution. The duties of the Investigations Division include:
- Investigating major crimes such as homicides, sexual assaults, and fraud cases
- Collecting and analyzing evidence to identify suspects and build cases for prosecution
- Interviewing witnesses and suspects to gather information
- Coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, to share information and resources
- Conducting surveillance and undercover operations to gather evidence
- Providing support to other divisions of the Sheriff's Office as needed
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division is responsible for providing specialized services to handle high-risk situations. The duties of the Special Operations Division include:
- Providing specialized training to other members of the Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies
- Responding to high-risk situations, such as hostage situations and bomb threats
- Conducting tactical operations to resolve dangerous situations
- Operating specialized units such as the K-9 unit, SWAT team, and bomb squad
- Conducting search and rescue operations
Support Services Division
The Support Services Division is responsible for providing administrative support to the Sheriff's Office to ensure efficient operation. The duties of the Support Services Division include:
- Maintaining records and documents related to the Sheriff's Office
- Coordinating with other county departments and agencies to ensure efficient operation of the Sheriff's Office
- Providing human resources support to the Sheriff's Office personnel
- Managing the finances of the Sheriff's Office, including budgeting and purchasing
- Maintaining and updating the Sheriff's Office information technology systems, including computer networks and communication systems
Overall, each division of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in providing a wide range of services to the community. From uniformed patrols and criminal investigations to specialized units and administrative support, the Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving and protecting the residents of Sedgwick County.
Arrest Warrants Search in Sedgwick County
Arrest warrants are issued by a judge when law enforcement has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that the suspect is responsible for the crime. It is important to know if you have an active arrest warrant, as you can be arrested at any time if you are stopped by law enforcement.
To search for arrest warrants in Sedgwick County, you can visit the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office website. Click on the "Warrant Lookup" link under the "Public Resources" section. This will take you to the warrant search page, where you can enter your name to see if you have any active warrants.
If you have an active warrant, it is important to contact an attorney and turn yourself in as soon as possible. This can help mitigate the consequences of the warrant and prevent additional charges from being filed against you.
Other Resources Available for Conducting a Warrant Lookup
In addition to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office website, there are other resources available for conducting a warrant lookup. State and federal databases, such as the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System and the National Crime Information Center, can provide information on active warrants across the country.
Private online services, such as Instant Checkmate and BeenVerified, can also provide information on active warrants, as well as other criminal records and background checks. These services may require a fee, but can provide a more comprehensive search than the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office website.
If you have an active warrant and are unsure of how to proceed, it may be helpful to contact an attorney for guidance and representation.
Bail and Bond in Sedgwick County
Bail and bond are two options available to individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial. Bail is the amount of money set by the court that must be paid to secure release from jail. Bond is similar to bail, but instead of paying the full amount, a percentage is paid to a bonding company, who then guarantees the full amount to the court.
To post bail or bond in Sedgwick County, you can contact a bonding company or a bail bondsman. These companies will typically require a percentage of the total bail or bond amount as collateral. If you cannot afford to post bail or bond, you may be eligible for a bond reduction hearing, where a judge will consider reducing the amount of bail or bond required.
It is important to appear in court for all scheduled hearings and proceedings, as failing to do so can result in additional charges and the revocation of bail or bond.
Sex Offender Registry in Sedgwick County
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office maintains a sex offender registry, which provides information on individuals who have been convicted of sex crimes and are required to register with law enforcement.
To search for registered sex offenders in Sedgwick County, you can visit the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office website and click on the "Sex Offender Registry" link under the "Public Resources" section. You can search by name, address, or zip code to see if there are any registered sex offenders in your area.
It is important to understand the consequences of violating sex offender registration laws, as failure to register or provide accurate information can result in additional charges and penalties.