WABAUNSEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFFWelcome to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office. We enjoy a rich history of serving our citizens that dates back to 1855. I encourage you to take a journey through the Sheriff Office's history. The Wabaunsee County Jail was built as part of the court house in 1935. There have been very few changes over the years. Maximum bed space accommodates twenty-two inmates. The jail is used to house people that have been arrested and waiting to post bond or unable to post bond and awaiting adjudication, people that have been sentenced to jail for a specific number of days, and people awaiting transfer to another jurisdiction or prison. The jail operation is overseen by the Sheriff and a staff of three full time jailers. The Wabaunsee County Dispatch Center is also located on the fourth floor of the courthouse. The dispatch center has been recently upgraded to include digital mapping, enhanced 911 services and 800 MHz radio technology. Dispatchers can now receive a 911 call and have instant addressing and mapping of the origin of the call from cellular services and land line providers. The Sheriff’s Office thrives to maintain the dispatch center at a level consistent with current technology. The dispatch operation is overseen by the Sheriff and Undersheriff and has a staff of five full-time dispatchers. Dispatchers receive annual training in a variety of communications related topics. The Admininistration positions include the Administrative Secretary, the Evidence Custodian, and the Civil Process Server. Each of these positions perform a multitude of functions that include data entry, report review and distribution, civil process, court documents, court scheduling, preparing statistics, billing etc.. Each deputy has an assigned police vehicle. Each vehicle is equipped with modern technology to include dual radar, audio and video recorders, high visibility lighting, digital cameras, crime scene evidence kits, and 800 MHz radio equipment. Each deputy receives in excess of the required minimum forty hours of training annually. Deputies receive training on topics to include but not limited to; Use of Force, Report Writing, Weapons Qualification, Court Procedures, Crime Scene Investigation, Accident Investigation, D.U.I. Detection and Apprehension, School Resource, and others. Select deputies are also trained for K-9, Explosive Breech, Hostage Negotiation, Less Lethal Instructor, Weapons Armorer, Computerized Voice Stress Analysis Operators (CVSA), and Backcountry Tactics and Tracking Training. Several Sheriff’s Office employees are cross-trained for more than one position. Cross training assists a small agency with attrition factors and greatly reduces the concerns of continuity in times of personnel shortages. As Sheriff I have proudly introduced several accomplishments to Wabaunsee County. Since taking office I have provided 24/7 jail coverage and 24/7 police coverage to the entire county for the first time. Technology has been improved to be consistent with current standards. DA.R.E., Crime Stoppers, School Crime Stoppers, and School Resource Officer training, have been added as a resource to partnership with schools and the communities and provide additional resources for citizens’ county-wide. Additionally, a policy manual has been developed and incorporated for each section. As Sheriff I ensure we are trained in Critical Incident Management and partner with the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC), Department of Homeland Security, M-Squad, M.O.C.I.C., Fire Departments, Ambulance Service, School Districts, Improvement Districts and other Police Departments. We have worked to provide a seamless inter-operable radio communication system. It is a state of the art radio communication system that provides the very best in emergency radio communication to safeguard our way of life in Wabaunsee County. We serve a population of approximately 6,500 residents with a full service law enforcement mission. The Sheriff's Office provided police services to all townships. The communities we currently serve are the cities of Wabaunsee, Paxico, Alma, Harveyville, Maple Hill, Alta Vista, Eskridge and Lake Wabaunsee and diligently provide routine patrol to all rural areas of Wabaunsee County. The Sheriff's Office takes great pride in offering this level of service to our citizens. We have well trained employees who have "taken ownership" of their local policing responsibilities and have built a solid foundation of community oriented police service. I hope you find the answers to your questions as you explore our web page. We do take great pride in our ability to provide the highest level of service we can. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please give us a call and we will do our very best to help you. Sincerely, Doug Howser
P.O. Box 176, 215 Kansas, Alma, KS 66401
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Wabaunsee County Sheriff - 215 Kansas Avenue Alma, Kansas 66401 |