The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office provides this report of the accomplishments and work completed for 2014 to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners and to the citizens of Jackson County, Kansas. This report is a summary of the activities, including statistics and information from all divisions, of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and a compilation of statistics provided by the divisions within the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office is comprised of the following divisions: the Jackson County Jail, 911 Dispatch Center, Patrol, Investigations, Registered Offenders, Conceal Carry, Civil Process and Court Security.
It is the goal of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to serve the public with integrity, professionalism, and fiscal responsibility. The Sheriff’s Office promotes public safety by providing competent personnel, using modern policing methods as well as modern technology.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office believes integrity is the basis of community trust. We believe it is important we hold ourselves to a high moral standard in order to gain and maintain the respect from the public. While all people make mistakes and sometimes bad choices, it is imperative that a sheriff’s office demand excellence and moral conduct of its employees. We believe it is important to police ourselves and hold each other accountable for our actions.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office requires professionalism of its employees. For each employee, from a dispatcher taking a call, to a patrol deputy making a traffic stop, professionalism is a must. Every citizen should be shown the upmost respect, even for those who break the law. Law Enforcement at times needs to be firm; however, there is never an excuse to be unprofessional in our conduct.
In addition, law enforcement should be adequately trained and skilled in their particular role. The size of an agency should not determine whether employees are sufficiently trained. All employees with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office receive appropriate training and undergo a lengthy field training program. The public deserves having highly trained people assisting them in the time of need.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office understands the burden of the cost of government placed on taxpayers. While law enforcement is unfortunately a necessity, it is important to be able to preserve the peace with as little cost as possible to the taxpayers. Therefore, we have worked to implement cost saving measures. The Sheriff’s Office has implemented a competitive bidding process that enables taxpayers to get the most for the dollar spent. The Sheriff’s Office has been proactive in implementing other services and technology, which has reduced the need of additional staffing.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office consists of 49 men and woman who are dedicated in providing public safety to all residents and persons in Jackson County, Kansas. The agency consists of the following: Sheriff, Undersheriff, Jail Captain, 2 detectives, 11 full time patrol deputies, 5 part-time deputies, 1 full-time court security deputy, 1 part-time court security deputy, 1 support service deputy, 8 dispatchers, 15 corrections officers and 1 administrative assistant and 1 part-time administrative assistant. The agency also has 1 reserve deputy.
The staffing has been dramatically reduced from past years. However, implementing modern policing, common sense management methods and technology has allowed us to become more efficient with fewer personnel.
A Sheriff’s Office, Police Department What is the Difference?
Many people confuse Police Departments with Sheriff’s Offices. Some don’t understand the differences between the two and the purposes they each serve. A police department answers to a body of elected officials such as a city council or a city commission. Their purpose and allegiance is to the city itself. They can enforce state statutes and city ordinances. A sheriff’s office serves the function of a police department and much more.
The Office of Sheriff is the oldest continuing, non-military, law enforcement entity in history. The concept of sheriff began in the 6th century in England. The sheriff in the United States is elected by the people and answers only to them and the Constitutions of the State and the United States. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county. The sheriff can investigate cases other law enforcement agencies have investigated, if the sheriff believes the investigation to be improper. The Sheriff is elected by the people of the county directly and his or her authority comes directly from the people.
The Sheriff answers to the voters of the county and is responsible for the safety of all its citizens. The county commission sets the sheriff’s budget, however, the sheriff can legally spend as he or she sees fit from that point on. The Sheriff can hire, fire, promote and demote as he or she sees fit. The sheriff is not bound by municipality boundaries or in Kansas, reservation boundaries. The Sheriff does not only have law enforcement authority in the county, but has many more duties. One of which, the Sheriff is the officer of the court. The Sheriff serves all judicial processes originating from the district court of the county. The Sheriff serves civil summons, writs, subpoenas, foreclosures, and criminal process. The Sheriff is in charge of keeping the courts orderly and safe through court security.
The Sheriff is charged with selling properties that are found to be delinquent in taxes. The Sheriff is responsible for selling properties that have defaulted in paying their mortgages. Also, the Sheriff is in charge of the initial processing of conceal carry licensees. The Sheriff is responsible in managing registered offenders and keeping them up to date on their appearance, place of work, place of residence and the vehicles they drive.
By statute the sheriff is the holder of all district court warrants. In Jackson County, there are approximately 1000 outstanding warrants at any time. The sheriff is also in charge of apprehending individuals who are wanted out of the district court. The sheriff on a daily basis transports subjects from all over the state who have been picked up by a local law enforcement agency on a Jackson County warrant. Also, the sheriff is responsible in working with the county attorney to extradite subjects from other states who have fled Kansas.
The sheriff by statute is also in charge of the jail. The sheriff is charged with seeing that inmates are safe, secure and their medical needs are being met. Running a jail is a 24 hour 7 day a week job and requires much attention to the needs of inmates as well as safety of the public. In Jackson County, the sheriff is in charge of the county wide 911 center. All 911 calls in Jackson County are answered in the sheriff’s 911 communication center. The sheriff in Jackson County also performs for public sake, vehicle identification number inspections. The sheriff also has authority to impound and sell livestock that are running at large, when the owner can’t be determined or fails to take responsibility thereof.
All in all, the sheriff works directly for the citizens he or she serves. It is the sheriff’s responsibility to see that every citizen is treated fairly and equally when it comes to law enforcement. The sheriff also works as a leader in working together with all other law enforcement agencies for the purpose of making the county as safe as possible.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Sheriff Tim Morse continues to strive for excellence in providing competent law enforcement while at the same time holding ourselves accountable to our citizens.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has had an eventful and productive year as a law enforcement agency in 2014. The Sheriff’s Office has been tasked with a number of challenges and many of those challenges have resulted in a variety of positive accomplishments for the county as a whole.
JAIL DIVISION
The Sheriff of Jackson County was responsible for the operation of the jail from the inception of Jackson County and even before when the County was called Calhoun County in the 1850s. In 2004, Sheriff Bruce Tomlinson gave over the control of the jail to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners appointed a director to oversee operations of the jail. In December of 2011, the Commission rescinded the resolutions separating the jail from the sheriff’s office, after jail revenues continued to decline and yearly budget shortfalls.
The Sheriff was tasked with reducing spending and had to make the difficult choice in cutting positions within the jail, while at the same time tightening security measures. The Sheriff cut staffing by 10 and used competitive bidding practices to bring expenses down. Vendors who were comfortable in selling to the county with inflated pricing were dismissed and replaced with vendors who provided reasonable pricing. The jail then ended under budget and with a profit in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
In 2011, the jail budget was approximately $500,000.00 in the red for the year. The Sheriff was able to reverse these deficits bringing the budget back into the black. These spending cuts in the jail alone will result in savings of $1,000,000.00 by the end of 2014. In addition, the jail also produced over $700,000.00 in revenue for the county.
There was a decline to the overall infrastructure of the jai from 2004 to 2011. Since the jail had been in economic decline, there were little monies available to make improvements, or even to make needed repairs. It was not uncommon to find jail locks and intercoms not working. One could only imagine what your house would look like inside with 100 people living in it for over a 15 year period.
In 2012, 2013 and 2014, massive renovation projects began in the jail. Initially, the renovation to the control center was made, the control system is the brain of the entire jail. The previous system was plagued with problems and was becoming difficult to keep running as it was a proprietary system that was no longer being supported. A secondary control center was installed in the sheriff’s office in case of emergencies. Also, the entire intercom system was replaced as some jail cells had non-functioning intercoms. This presented a problem should there have been a need for medical assistance or for other emergencies. The system was replaced with a state of the art conventional system where parts are readily available for repair.
In addition, the internal appearance of the jail was in a state of decline. While the Sheriff is expected to earn a portion of his jail budget from out of county inmate housing, it was becoming difficult to sell the space. We have all seen run down hotels and motels where you don’t typically see many customers. Sheriffs are responsible for the safety, security and health of any inmate in their custody. If a Sheriff or another agency head is faced with farming out inmates to other facilities due to capacity overloads, they are not going to place them in places where they feel there are concerns. Currently, the market for out of county housing is the lowest it has been in years. It is important to be as marketable as possible if you plan to get a portion of the inmate housing business.
In 2014, after having another profitable year, it was decided to spend earned jail revenue monies, to fix some of the problems with the jail. The kitchen was in poor condition and had been a concern to outside agencies housing inmates in Jackson County. The kitchen contained four ovens, of which only one was operational. Three meals were being prepared daily for a daily average of 80 inmates. Maintenance costs were increasing and it was a battle to keep the operation running. The entire kitchen was gutted to facilitate repairs. A new ceiling system was installed, along with epoxy flooring in the kitchen, laundry, booking room, multi-purpose room and hallways. This flooring is more resilient and much easier to keep clean. These areas were painted and doors were refinished and painted. All kitchen appliances such as ovens, refrigerator and freezers were replaced.
Also in 2014, there were updates to the security camera system in the jail, providing 5 video monitored holding areas instead of 1. There are times were it is essential to keep individuals separate after arrests due to a variety of reasons. Also, it is imperative to be able to monitor inmates and sometimes there are multiple inmates that fit this situation.
Another important accomplishment was made in 2014 for the security of the jail. One of the failures with the mid 90s jail construction plan, was the lack of sally port type security entrances. A sally port is a two door system, much like an air lock on a ship. When someone passes the first door, the first door must lock before the second door unlocks. This prevents someone from escaping when one of the exterior doors is unlocked. The original layout of the jail had 3 entrances to the jail. Anytime an inmate was in the booking room or in a hallway and one of the exterior doors was opened, if that inmate wanted to, they could run toward the door and overpower anyone coming in the door and be out on the street.
All modern jails and prisons have sally port entrances. So in 2014, renovations were done in making our jail more secure. Sally ports were installed at all 3 entrances, with these enhancements paid for by monies earned in 2013 from out-of-county housing. Senne Company of Topeka received the bid on the project and installed the door units and SWC installed the electronics.
In 2014, there were 14 full-time and 1 part-time correction officers. The staffing is 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This figures out to 600 man hours per week, 2,400 hour per month and 28,800 hours per year.
Advanced Correctional Healthcare
Sheriffs are responsible for the needs of those incarcerated in jails. Those needs include the cost of inmate healthcare. The primary reason for jail lawsuits are healthcare related issues. The Jail had received services from community health care for the treatment of inmates, until late in 2013.
While the care with community healthcare was good, there were many things lacking for the correctional setting. Corrections officers were without training or protocols to handle medical situations. In addition, inmates were receiving comfort drugs at taxpayers’ expense.
It is the responsibility of the Sheriff to address actual healthcare issues for inmates. However, it should not be the responsibility to place the burden of these expenses on the taxpayers for unneeded care. At times, inmates were being prescribed extremely high priced medications that made them sleep through their jail experience at taxpayer expense.
Late in 2013, the Jail switched to correctional healthcare. This move reduces the medical liability for Jackson County and increases responsibility for the healthcare provider. Corrections officers are trained in handling medical incidents and are provided guidelines and protocols to follow. A doctor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to refer to and provide medical direction. Doctors make periodic visits to the jail and treat inmates as needed. A nurse is on site 5 days a week and is in charge of documentation and tending to the medical needs of inmates. The cost of prescribed medications is provided by the healthcare company as part of the contract.
This move reduces the liability on the taxpayers, reduces the load on corrections staff and provides adequate healthcare to inmates who receive what they medically need. Now that we have had this relationship with Advanced Correctional Healthcare for over a year, we have seen the tremendous benefits with this move. Not only have we shifted the counties liability to that of the healthcare provider, but we have reduced outside inmate healthcare costs to taxpayers.
City Tele-Coin
In 2013, another change in vendors occurred. In the past, the Jail had been in a rut of doing business with the same people year after year without looking at other options, and seeking the best opportunities for Jackson County. The jail had been doing business for many years with Securus which provided the inmate telephone system. In June of 2014, the contract with Securus ended. An agreement was signed with City Tele-Coin which provided a more lucrative package for Jackson County. In the agreement the jail would receive 62% of the phone revenue increasing from the previous 40%. Jackson County also would receive the free installation of a new video visitation system. City Tele-Coin allows easier access for the monitoring of inmate phone calls for investigators, and provides minute by minute monitoring of inmate usage and telephone revenue.
In 2012, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office sold 391 phone cards to inmates bringing in $2,346.00 in revenue. In 2013, JASO sold 541 phone cards yielding $3,243.00. Even though the contract began at mid-year with City Tele-Coin an additional $10,000 in revenue was received compared to the year prior. In December, jail inmate telephone revenue was over $3,800.00 for the month.
Turnkey Video Visitation
The decrease of jail personnel created more duties for corrections officers. In recent years, there have been changes that have reduced the workload of corrections officers to allow them to tend to security needs. One of the responsibilities of corrections officers had been supervising inmate visitation. This required inmates to be moved to a visitation area and required extra supervision as well as the setting up of appointments by staff. In 2014, the jail moved to video visitation. The agreement made with City Tele-coin provided for installation of video visitation equipment in the jail with no cost to county taxpayers. The former inmate phone provider, Securus offered a similar package, although with a cost of $50,000.00.
This allows visitors to visit from home regardless of their location via the internet. It also expanded the opportunities for inmate visits. Prior to this, visitation only occurred at designated hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Now, visitation occurs every day of the week, and with more flexible hours. It also provides visitation in the jail lobby while allows the inmate to remain in their designated area. This has reduced the workload of staff that has allowed them to focus on other correctional duties by limiting inmate movement in the facility.
Tiger Commissary
Commissary is a program in jails nationwide in which inmates can purchase items that are not provided by the jail. In 2013, the Sheriff’s Office signed with Tiger Commissary to handle inmate commissary needs for the jail. Previously, the jail contracted with Wichita Canteen. However, correctional staff was required to take orders from inmates and order commissary products. In addition, staff was required to handle inmate accounts. Tiger Commissary provides an online portal that allows inmates to make orders from telephones in the jail. This reduces work load for corrections officers who can focus more on their jail duties.
Tiger also provides online access and a kiosk in the jail lobby to allow friends and family to place money on the accounts of inmates, and also provides the ability to purchase care packages. These services greatly reduce staff workload.
Tiger Commissary also handles the accounting for inmate accounts. Not only has the new commissary system reduced the work load on corrections officers and staff, but it has increased revenue to the inmate welfare fund. The inmate welfare fund comes from services such as commissary and the jail phone system. Monies in the inmate welfare fund pay for items that have a direct benefit to inmates, like inmate clothing, hygiene items and bedding. Since Tiger was implemented in the late spring of 2013 there has been $10,000.00 received, compared to $2,400.00 in 2012. In 2014, there was a total of $25,175.01 generated by the inmate commissary program. Due to the many changes in the commissary program and inmate telephone system by the end of December 2014, approximately $8,000.00 was generated for the month.
Due to the increase in inmate welfare funds, more items that have to be provided to inmates can now be paid for from these funds rather than taxpayer money. Tiger Commissary provides these services at no cost to Jackson County.
Captain Steve Buck
In 2013, Steve Buck returned to the Sheriff’s Office in the Jail Division as the sergeant of the jail where he had previously served in that capacity. In 2014, Steve Buck was promoted to Captain of the Jail Division. Captain Buck served previously as a corrections officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections in Lansing before coming to Jackson County. Captain Buck has been instrumental in improving the operation of the jail.
In 2014, there were 1,471 people booked into the Jackson County Jail, a 7% increase from 2013. Totals for booking fees, work release payments, fingerprints fees and Social Security award payments were $6,589.41. The Jail processed $91,458.39 in cash bonds this year. Jackson County held inmates for the United States Marshal Service in Topeka, Nemaha County, Kickapoo Nation and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Out of county prisoner housing and transport monies for the year break down as follows: The United States Marshal Service paid $235,560.00 for housing. They also compensated $3,935.12 for mileage and $5,788.65 for personnel time involved in transporting their inmates. Nemaha County paid $16,290.00, Kickapoo Nation paid $8,670.00 and PBPN paid $7,350.00. Out of county holds reimbursements totaled $277,593.77 for the year. This figure was up $23,404.54 from the $254,190 that was paid last year for out of county holds. Medical co-payments made by inmates this year were $1,764.84.
The Jail transported 675 inmates in 2014, travelling over 40,000 miles in 2014. This includes transporting from other agencies, to and from court, medical transports, moving inmates to other facilities and federal transports. The Jail averaged 56 transports per month.
Prison Rape Elimination Act
In 2014, The Jackson County Jail implemented new policies resulting from the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. While PREA mainly pertains to the Bureau of Prisons, PREA is becoming an accepted standard nationally in jails. Although most jails in Kansas have not implemented it, Jackson County is one of the few county jails that have. PREA brings about a change in policies, training, and equipment with the purpose of deterring and dealing with sexual assaults in a correctional setting. Corrections officers receive specialized training in how to deal with these types of issues. Investigators are trained in how to investigate sexual assaults in the correctional setting. Sexual assault response procedures are put in place. Inmates also receive training and provide a variety of ways to report incidents. Vendors, ministry teams and others entering the jail are subject to background checks and also receive PREA training.
In 2014, the Jail began a new procedure in reducing contraband in the jail. One housing unit was designated as a transitional housing unit. Incoming inmates spend the first 72 hours of incarceration in this unit. A majority of inmates are bonded out within the 72 hour period. This change has reduced the introduction of contraband into the general population as well as provides jail staff with a better opportunity to classify inmates according to their need.
Jail Van Update
In 2014, the Jail was able to update their large jail transport van. A 2014 Chevrolet van replaced a mid-90s model that was not in adequate shape for longer transports. It is common for the Jail to transport a dozen or more inmates at a time to court proceedings. It also allows the Sheriff’s Office to become more marketable in out of county housing when transportation for large numbers of inmates are needed.
PATROL DIVISION
The patrol division’s function is to respond to calls for service in Jackson County, efficiently use the resources provided to deter crime, patrol Jackson County, enforce traffic laws, interdict narcotics drug trafficking, apprehend fugitives by serving warrants, assist the public, serve civil process, investigate crimes, transport prisoners, serve the court in a variety of ways, and assist other agencies.
The Patrol Division deputies work twelve hour shifts. Three deputies are assigned to each shift. Each shift has a supervisor. The supervisor is generally based in Zone 2 which encompasses central Jackson County and is based out of the Sheriff’s Office in Holton. Zone 1 is the northern portion of Jackson County and is based out of the Netawaka Sub-Station. Zone 3 is the southern portion of Jackson County and is based out of the Hoyt Sub-Station. The Sheriff and Undersheriff also assist in patrolling Jackson County on a regular basis. The Patrol Division patrols approximately 450,000 miles of Jackson County roadways each year.
In 2014, Bryson Wheeler was promoted to Lieutenant of the Patrol Division. Lt. Wheeler started as a cadet at the Sheriff’s Office and was hired, to work as a dispatcher, then corrections officer, and deputy sheriff. In 2011, Lt. Wheeler was promoted to the rank of sergeant and served as a patrol shift supervisor. Lt. Wheeler also oversees the court security division.
Patrol Sub-Stations
Sub-Stations were developed to improve the efficient use of our resources. Deputies would not have to return to Holton to complete each report and could complete reports while remaining in their assigned area. This made a deputy available in a particular area when needed, reducing response times and conserving fuel. A major decrease in burglaries was attributed to leaving deputies in patrol zones. In addition, deputies were aggressively pursuing would be burglars. Jackson County Deputies have actually caught burglars and thieves while the crimes were in progress.
Deputies commonly assist other law enforcement agencies. As the Sheriff’s Office is the largest law enforcement agency in Jackson County, the Sheriff’s Office has resources other agencies lack. Patrol deputies assist the Holton Police Department, PBPN Police Department, Mayetta and Hoyt Police Departments. Deputies also assist other agencies as well, including but not limited to: Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas State Department of Wildlife and Tourism, Kansas State Gaming, Department of Children and Families, Juvenile Intake and others.
Patrol Vehicles
For several decades the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the primary law enforcement vehicle in America. However, the police version of the Crown Vic has not been manufactured for the last couple of years. In 2012, the Sheriff’s Office purchased 4 used Crown Vics and placed them into service. In 2013, a Ford Explorer Police Interceptor was purchased at approximately $26,000.00. In addition, a Chevy Tahoe was also purchased for approximately the same price. These vehicles were purchased via the state contract and at less expense than what the public would be able to purchase them for. These vehicles are priced at about what the Crown Vic would be priced at if it were still being produced. A second used Chevy Tahoe was purchased from the Kansas Highway Patrol. In 2014, two Dodge Chargers and two Dodge pickups were purchased. These vehicle were priced at approximately $23,000.00 each. In 2015, the Sheriff’s plans to purchase vehicles that are either four wheel drive or all-wheel drive which have become available with most police vehicles.
Proof of Performance
Members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division have worked hard to keep Jackson County safe. In comparing area statistics, it is clear that this team of professionals are making a difference. Statistically, Jackson County is the safest county surrounding the Capital City. Jackson County has the lowest crime index rate of any county surrounding Shawnee County with the exception of Wabaunsee County. Although, Jackson County maintains the lowest violent crime rating of any county surrounding the Capital City. In 2013, Jackson County made 522 arrests which even surpassed Shawnee County by 78 arrests.
The following are some of the accomplishments made by the JASO Patrol Division in 2014:
- Served or attempted 2,854 pieces of civil process for the district court.
- Warrants served or attempted 788
- Investigated 265 non-injury accidents
- Investigated 91 injury accidents
- Performed 3,551 traffic stops
- Performed 4,323 area checks
- Investigated 216 thefts
- Responded to 150 fights
- Responded to 63 Assaults
- Responded to 428 Animal calls
- Assisted 955 citizens
- 421 Suspicious persons
- 109 Juvenile complaints
- 24 Sex Offenses
- Served 22 Search Warrants
- 221 Speak with officer calls
- Assisted other agencies 370
- Responded to 110 disturbance calls.
- Responded to 567 911 hang up calls.
- Responded to 626 Traffic problems.
Registered Offenders
The Sheriff’s Office is responsible statutorily in managing registered offenders. Registered offenders must within 10 days notify the sheriff the following: any address where the offender is living, when registering with a school or educational institution, upon commencement of employment. In addition, offenders must report to register with the sheriff 3 times a year. At that time, the offender must update their address, educational institution, place of employment, photo of the offender and vehicle registrations. In 2014, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office supervised 39 registered offenders. Of those 39 registered offenders, 28 were sex offenders, 6 drug offenders and 5 were violent offenders. The Sheriff’s Office filed 2 cases on offenders who failed to register which resulted in 2 convictions. Registered offenders are required to pay the sheriff’s office $20 each time they register. The Sheriff’s Office received $2,480.00 in registered offender fees for 2014. There are currently no non-compliant offenders in Jackson County.
Civil Process
In 2014, the Sheriff’s Officer served 2,854 civil papers earning $14,415.00. In 2013, 2,687 were served with $13,545.00 in revenue. In 2014, 1,110 were summons, 1110 subpoenas, 90 tax warrants, 22 show cause, 132 garnishments, 81 miscellaneous, 35 protection from abuse orders.
Vehicle Identification Inspections
There were 767 vehicle identification number inspections earning $13,806.00 compared to 739 in 2013 earning $13,302.00. There were 57 conceal carry permits issues with revenue of $1852.50 compared to 113 earning $3672.00 in 2013.
Fingerprints
There were 43 employment fingerprints taken, earning $430.00 in revenue. There were 27 sheriff sales with a revenue to the agency of $202.50.
Special Law Enforcement Fund
In 2014, $11,069.57 was collected in the special law enforcement fund and an additional $2,630.00 was collected on abandoned vehicles.
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit has been productive during 2014. The unit is staffed by only two full time detectives. The unit primarily focuses on serious felony crimes, while other crimes are investigated by patrol deputies. The Unit has been aggressive in pursuing child predators, burglars, corrupt public officials/employees, and drug offenders. During the 2014 year, the Jackson County Investigations Division investigated an estimated 114 cases. Of these 114 cases, 39 were burglaries that were and are being investigated which is an increase from 2013 by 2 burglaries. 16 of the 39 have been cleared and/or solved. This is a clearance rate of 43%.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most recent clearance statistics (2011) the national average for clearing burglaries is 12.7 % and the Midwest average is 11 % with non-metropolitan counties average of just 8.7 % clearance rate. Also investigated were 11 theft cases with 3 being solved or an average of 32 % clearance rate. The national average per FBI reports is 21.5 % with the Midwest average at 21.6% and non-metropolitan counties at 9 %.
The unit investigated 20 sex related cases with all but one cleared and that one is still under investigation. Five of the 20 were Prison Rape Elimination Act reported incidents. The unit is averaging 100% clearance rate on sex related crimes reported to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigations were able to investigate 11 narcotics investigations with a 100% clearance rate. The unit enlisted the help of the another County Sheriff’s Office to conduct two undercover buys that resulted in search warrants and the arrest of suspects. Suspects in both of those cases are currently incarcerated in prison.
Investigations investigated 7 death investigations which includes unattended deaths and suicides. There were no murder investigations in 2014 for Jackson County.
The remaining cases included arson, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, identity theft and financial crimes.
Investigations applied for and received 21 search warrants in 2014 which is a drop from the 27 done in 2013. Investigations assisted on 12 outside agency search warrants.
Investigations obtained 20 inquisition subpoenas, which is an increase over the 14 done in 2013
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Investigations Division assisted the following agencies in 2014:
- Assisted Nemaha County connecting burglary suspects to an Auburn burglary in Shawnee
- Assisted Shawnee County on several burglaries identifying at least two suspects for them and assisted in recovering multiple items.
- Assisted Osage County in recovering multiple items.
- Assisted Topeka Police Department in a 2010 homicide investigation that covered several Assisted in a 1981 cold case.
- Assisted Shawnee County in a home invasion / homicide.
- Assisted Calhoun County, Florida in a sex crime investigation.
- Assisted Kansas Department of Revenue in two fraud investigations.
- Assisted Holton Police Department in several case that included two death investigations and at least four sex crime investigations.
- Assisted Hoyt Police Department on a fraud investigation and asset forfeitures.
Other agencies assisted by either conducting interviews, assisting on search warrants or tracking down information on witnesses, persons of interest and/or suspects include;
- Norton County
- Atchison County
- Wilson County
- Topeka PD
- Holton PD
- Jefferson County
- Potawatomie County
- PBP Tribal PD
- S. Army CID
- Kansas Attorney General’s Office
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF)
- Homeland Security
During the 2014 year investigations divided their time in a variety of duties and assignments. From attending training, teaching classes, processing evidence, conducting surveillance, testifying in court and assisting other agencies. Even with these time constraints Investigations has been able to clear an average of 66 % of the five major crimes consisting of Burglary, Theft, Sex Crimes, Narcotic cases and Death Investigations.
JASO Crime Scene Unit
In 2014, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office established the JASO Crime Scene Unit. The purpose of this unit is to provide skilled investigators to aid the Investigations Unit with major crime scenes. Currently, the Investigations Unit only consists of two investigators. When presented with a large crime scene the Investigations Unit can be quickly overwhelmed with a large variety of duties. The Crime Scene Unit provides deputies who have been trained in crime scene processing and specialized training in interviewing and interrogations. The unit allows for the Investigation Unit to expand from 2 personnel to 9. Additional investigators help in processing scenes and assisting in following up on leads and interviewing witnesses and suspects.
District Court Statistics
Jackson County is a part of the Second Judicial District of Kansas. The Second District is comprised of Jefferson, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee and Jackson counties. It is quite evident that law enforcement in Jackson County have been busy in 2014. Jackson County led the district in the number of felony cases that were filed. This is not a total of the number of felony charges, it is a total of the felony cases filed. The following are statistics for the Second District: Felony cases filed Jackson-212, Jefferson-101, Pottawatomie-137 and Wabaunsee-46. DUIs for Jackson-136, Jefferson-36, Pottawatomie-66 and Wabaunsee-15. Driving while suspended cases for Jackson-242, Jefferson-40, Pottawatomie-96 and Wabaunsee-43. Jackson County also leads in the number of juvenile cases with 75, Jefferson-33, Pottawatomie-70 and Wabaunsee at 15. Jackson County also led in the number of child in need of care cases with 62, Jefferson-55, Pottawatomie-48 and Wabaunsee at 6. Jackson County led the district in the number of people who were extradited to Kansas from other states. Jackson County extradited 19, Jefferson-6, Pottawatomie-1 and Wabaunsee-5. These statistics were accomplished by the hard work of law enforcement, the Jackson County Attorney’s Office and the Second Judicial District of Kansas.
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office oversees the 911 Emergency Communications Center for Jackson County. The Center is staffed with 8 full-time dispatchers and is overseen by the dispatch supervisor. The Center dispatches for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, 2 police departments, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, KHP, 8 fire departments, and 2 ambulance services. All 911 calls in Jackson County are answered by Sheriff’s Office dispatchers. In 2014, the Center handled 20,317 incidents. Of those incidents the vast majority were law enforcement related. In 2014, there was a total of 47,832 telephone calls either made or received in the center. Of those calls, there were 27,276 incoming administrative calls, 17,409 outgoing administrative calls and 3,147 were 911 calls.
APCO Medical Pre-arrival
In 2014, JASO acquired its own in-house instructor certified in instructing the APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher Course. In 2014, all dispatchers were certified as EMD dispatchers. EMD dispatchers are able to give callers medical instructions for those in need prior to EMS arrival.
National Sheriff’s Institute
Sheriff Tim Morse was selected in 2014 to attend the National Sheriff’s Institute. Sheriff Morse was one of 26 sheriffs from 18 different states who were selected to attend the week long leadership program designed specifically for the office of sheriff. The program was held at the National Institute of Corrections in Aurora, Colorado. The training, lodging, meals and travel were paid for by the National Institute of Corrections and the National Sheriff’s Association.
Sheriff Morse said “The office of sheriff is a unique position and is only fully understood by those who have personally served in the office. I found there to be so many differences between sheriffs across our nation, but at the same time, we have so many similarities.” ’We deal with many of the same challenges of other sheriff’s offices from Yuma County, Arizona to Franklin County, Maine.” Morse said, “A sheriff’s office is a police department and a whole lot more. Sheriffs in Kansas are the chief law enforcement officer for the county and are responsible not only for patrol and investigations, but for jails, civil process, conceal carry, serving the courts, court security, dealing with registered offenders, foreclosures, tax sales and in most counties, the communications center.” The NSI program provided an arduous 65 hour training program primarily focused on the leadership of the sheriff in the office and in the community. Morse said, “I found the NSI to be one of the best trainings I have experienced in my career and recommend it to any first term sheriff. It allows each sheriff the ability to effectively evaluate their own leadership skills and at the same time highlight areas needed for improvement. In addition, the program provided sheriffs solutions for those areas where improvement is needed.” Sheriff Morse attended the NSI training program from September 14-20th. The following quotes are from the NSA website, “The National Sheriffs’ Association is dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of criminal justice, public safety and law enforcement so that they may perform their jobs in the best possible manner and better serve the people of their cities, counties or jurisdictions.” “The National Sheriff’s Institute’s goal is to help first term sheriffs enhance their ability to be an effective leader.” The program also focused on the following:
- Providing the sheriff with a greater understanding of his/her role as a community leader. • Providing the sheriff opportunities to assess and evaluate leadership styles and skills in the areas of bargaining, interpersonal communications, and personnel management. • Understanding how organization ethics assist in managing staff; to familiarize the sheriff with key legal issues that impact on the office of the executive leader. • Providing the sheriff with an understanding of the media and how to effectively communicate and work with the media. • And overall, providing the sheriff with the administrative oversight necessary to effectively manage all areas of responsibility.
13th Annual Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Day Camp August 7th & 8th
Banner Reservoir remained mostly rain free and cool Thursday and Friday for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s 13th annual Kid’s Camp at Banner Reservoir. Kid’s camp was established with the goal of building positive relationships between law enforcement and youth. This year featured an airboat and fishing demonstration courtesy of Kansas Wildlife Parks and Tourism,
The Sheriff’s Office Day Camp provided the following activities: Archery, Water Tag, Swimming, Fishing, Hayrack Ride, Canoeing, Rat Race Obstacle Course, Nuclear Meltdown, Go-Cart, and a tour of Banner Creek Observatory Science Center and wildlife presentation by Kansas Department Wildlife Parks and Tourism. In addition, on Thursday, area law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments displayed their equipment and a Jaws of Life Demonstration to participants. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office provided a K-9 demonstration. On Friday, activities continued with the Holton Lion’s Club providing lunch.
Numerous volunteers, including some elected and local governmental officials, assisted with the camp. Jackson County Commissioners, Jackson County Appraiser’s Office, Jackson County Attorney’s Office, Jackson County Emergency Management, Jackson County Road and Bridge, Jackson County EMS, Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Swat Team, KDWPT Archery in the Schools, Potawatomi Tribal Police and Fire Department, Holton Army National Guard, City of Holton, Holton Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Delia Fire Department, Hoyt Fire Department, Holton Fire Department, Netawaka Fire Department, Banner Creek Reservoir, Department, Honey Do’s Septic Tank and Drain, YWCA, Walmart, Holton Lion’s Club and the men and women of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with or sponsored the event.
Over 240 children ages 6-12 participated in the annual Day Camp.
Drunk goggles course DUI texting
During 2014 Undersheriff Darrel Chapman headed up the Teen Drunk Driving and Texting While Driving Program in the county. Undersheriff Chapman provided a number of programs that demonstrated the dangers of driving while being under the influence of alcohol or while texting. In 2014, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners providing monies to purchase a new go cart from the alcohol and drug fund. The go cart replaced a go cart that was purchased over 10 years ago. The program travels to schools, the Jackson County and community events to help demonstrate the risk of driving in these situations.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office completed a challenging and busy 2014 year with many substantial improvements to the safety and security of the citizens of Jackson County. We look forward to continuing to provide a top notch level of professional service to our citizens in 2015.