Key to Services & Programs Criminal Division Civil Division Corrections Division Marine Patrol Search and Rescue Administrative Unit Reserve Program Cadet Program Community Corrections Programs Traffic Safety Grants & Programs Volunteers In Police Service Program

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office - Responsibilities are Diverse and Intensive

In Washington, the Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the peace within the county and is directly accountable to the people, running for election every four years. Many people are under the impression that our duties are primarily in the patrol of areas outside municipal city limits. This is not entirely the case.

While we do provide this service, our operations run the gamut from law enforcement duties, to the delivery of civil papers, execution of court orders, incarceration of offenders and supervision of parole/probation clients, organizing search and rescue operations and preparing for and coordinating responses to man-made and natural disasters. The job of managing such a diverse operation is a challenge that must be met each day.

Criminal Division:

The Sheriff is legally responsible for keeping the peace within the county. The City of Port Townsend maintains their own police forces and the Washington State Patrol handles primary traffic control on state highways. Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies are responsible for providing law enforcement services in the non-incorporated areas of the county. Detectives deal with advanced on-going criminal investigations. Click here for information about this division.

Civil Division:

Washington law holds sheriffs responsible for serving various court summons and other legal papers. These are known generally as "civil papers." Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies serve hundreds of civil papers a year to citizens spread out geographically throughout the county. The Sheriff’s civil deputy also arranges for Sheriff’s auctions of surplus and abandoned property. Click here for infromation about this division.

By law, Washington Sheriffs are responsible for operating a jail or providing jail services. The Jefferson County Corrections Facility is located at the JCSO Hadlock headquarters. Constructed in 1986 to hold a maximum of 49 offenders. Today, it serves as the county's only jail facility. Click here for information about the jail and corrections.

This group is tasked with enforcing boating and wildlife ordinances and state laws as they apply to water ways in Jefferson County. Click here for information about the marine patrol and other boating safety items.

The JCSO Search and Rescue function coordinates search and rescue efforts in the county (a significant portion of the county is mountainous and forested terrain). Click here for search and rescue information.

Administrative Unit

Responsible for a wide range of support services to enhance the internal operation of the Jefferson Sheriff's Office. The Administrative Division, under the direction of the Office Manager, is responsible for the budget preparation and presentation to the Jefferson County Commissioners and is charged with maintaining an accounting system. The Records Division and administrative clerks fall under the direct supervision of the Office Manager. Click here for administrative unit information.

The overall mission of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Reserve Program is to assist and support the Sheriff. This assistance comes in a multitude of forms: working patrol, special event coverage, administrative support and any task assigned by the Sheriff. Click here for information about the JCSO reserve program.

The Cadet Program is designed to give students an opportunity to observe the criminal justice system and assist them in making an informed career decision. Explorers provide non-enforcement assistance to the Sheriff's Office and serve their community through a wide variety of functions. Click here for information about the Cadet program.

Although Community Service Work is performed by jail inmates on the "chain gang", the administration of the program falls under the District Court Probation Department. Click here for more infomation about this program.

The Sheriff's Office has a number of grants and programs related to traffic safety and enforcement and works closely with various groups to improve public safety in traffic related areas. Click here for traffic program information.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIP) Program:

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Program enables volunteer citizens to contribute their time & talents to assist the Sheriff's Department with it's law enforcement responsibilities. Program services may include administrative support, home security education, vacation home checks, radar trailer, boating enforcement, & a range of other functions. These services free the professional staff to concentrate on their assigned duties & are a great help to the community.

All volunteers are welcome! Click here for more details. You may also contact the program coordinator, Jim Myers, by telephone at (360) 385-3831 ext. 553.

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