Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does it take to become a Sheriff's Deputy?

What it takes...

Before we get involved with the duties of the office, we should gain an understanding about what it takes to become a deputy.. .that is, how he or she can qualify for the job.

An applicant to be eligible for appointment must:

Be not less than twenty-one years of age
Be certified by a licensed physician, designated by the Sheriff, as in good health and physically fit for the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer
Have graduated and received a regular or advanced high school
diploma or its equivalent. A certificate of high school equivalency
(GED) is acceptable.
Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of
Alabama
Have a current, valid Alabama driver's license.
Be free from a physical, emotional, or mental condition that might adversely affect the performance of duties, determined by a physician's examination.
Be of good moral character and reputation.
Have no criminal record at all, except for minor traffic violations.
Not, by reason of conscience or belief, be opposed to the use of force when appropriate or necessary to fulfill the required duties.
Pass a civil service examination and be certified by that particular county's Civil Service Commission, where in effect.
Meet all Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training requirements.
Pass a rigid background investigation (not only of himself, but also siblings)

2. What are the responsibilities of a Sheriff's Deputy and Jail Staff

What your Sheriff's Office Does?

We, as mature citizens of this great State of Alabama, know that there is a Sheriffs Office comprised of a Sheriff and his deputies in each county, as set out by our state constitution. However, in a recent survey, we found that a very small percentage of the public really knew exactly what the Sheriffs Office does.

To gain a better understanding of it all, let's start at the beginning. The work "Sheriff" is of English derivation, a contraction of the words "shire" "county" and "reeve" (an agent of the king). Remember the Sheriff of Nottingham? He and his counterparts weren't very popular, were they? They held office either because their father did, or they received what was termed "royal appointment" -based not on abilities, but instead by what particular favors they had done for the crown. Their remuneration depended upon how much
taxes they collected - so you can readily understand what their principal duty was and why they resorted in some cases to less than ethical methods of collection.

You can also appreciate today's Sheriff and his organization for what they do to help turn the wheels of civilization-which, without proper law enforcement, would most certainly become a jungle!

The following material is set forth to give you a basic idea of how the typical Sheriff and his deputies function. For the most part, these are not steadfast duties or functions because you must remember that all counties differ in size, economic status and problems. However, the name and the game are the same.

Assuming that all requirements have been met, and the applicant becomes a member of that Sheriffs Office, he then embarks on a never ending voyage of education to better professionalize his chosen field.

He is first taught that the Sheriffs is a service office, which requires a high degree of tact in the handling of complaints, information, and emergency calls. Few compliments and many derogatory remarks will come his way; mainly because of the type of service the office is rendering. He or she must be able to roll with the punches and continue to perform their duties in a diligent and meaningful manner. It is also the duty of every member of the office to do his or her best to stop any and all rumors or derogatory remarks heard about the office or any officer of the organization. They must constantly search for and implement better ways in which to serve.

During this time of social unrest, versatility is the backbone of the
organization. The ability to adjust and change with the times, along with additional education and training, which must be more diversified than it has been in the past, are the only things that can now reduce the frustration of the officers and the mistrust of the populace they serve.

As an office grows in size and responsibility, it becomes necessary to
establish uniform procedures that serve as a guide in the discharge of its duties. The purpose of this standardization is not to restrict or handicap its members, but rather to enable the office to become more efficient in its wide range of duties with a minimum amount of effort.

Ours is a service office and we are constantly in contact with the public. The impressions of the Sheriffs Office depend upon the attitudes of each individual of this organization. We must continue to perform our duties in such a way that we do not antagonize, if at all possible. If we, as deputy sheriffs, hope to upgrade our professions and continue to grow, we must first "sell" people it serves. We must maintain a constant vigilance against routine, set patterns, and boredom. To become lax is to take a step
backward. Instead, let us as individuals combine our knowledge and look for better ways in which to serve.

Today's Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of his county by virtue of public acclaim, in the form of election every four years by the eligible voting populace of his county. His chief deputy is appointed by the Sheriff to help him with his duties and act as chief coordinator.

In most offices, the Sheriffs personnel are unique in that all functions of the office are performed by any deputy, whether the assignment be in the corrections field, the court system, or the law enforcement division. For example, he may act as a bailiff or a jailer, transport a prisoner, serve a civil process, or patrol a road, all in the same day. It is for this reason the Sheriff's office operates in such a smooth manner and on such an economical scale, resulting in great benefit to the taxpayers. Yes indeed, the members of the Sheriffs Office wear many hats in the fulfillment of their daily duties. This will give you some idea of the functions they perform.

General

Investigates all complaints and crimes. Collects and preserves
evidence. Interviews and/or interrogates suspects
Makes arrests, on warrants or without if sufficient reason for belief of a crime has been committed
Testifies in court, with or without subpoena, bringing records as
required
Transports evidence to crime lab for identification and analysis
Acts as liaison with BCI lab for industry, banks, miscellaneous
businesses, re-identification of forged and/or fictitious checks
Escorts prisoners to court hearings and trials
Investigates and controls civil disturbances
Makes search warrant investigations
Assists with strike negotiation problems
Recovers vehicles and property stolen from other jurisdictions
Maintains and operates boat, motor, dragging equipment, etc., for water rescue
Issues licenses to carry concealed weapons
Makes emergency deliveries of blood, vital organs, medication, etc. for hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, etc.
Investigates reports of missing persons
Delivers death messages
Conducts storm patrols
Makes security checks of vacant buildings, vacationers' premises, camping areas, unattended farm machinery
Makes investigation of complaints, strays or dogs running at large
Arbitrates fence disputes
Acts as mediator during family disturbances
Does family counseling, adult and/or juvenile problems
Acts as truant officer Special Enforcement
Makes arson investigations with or at the request of State Fire Marshal
Assists State Narcotics Bureau and/or other cities in narcotics arrests
Investigates with all railroad special agents
Joins security force protecting a visiting President, U.S. or foreign dignitaries
Furnishes manpower assistance to other cities and law enforcement agencies upon request

Death Investigations

Homicides
All accidents - industrial, farm, home, drowning, etc.
Suicides

Traffic Control

Conducts twenty-four hour road patrol, in the course of his many
duties
Operates radar periodically
Issues citations for traffic violations
Makes accident investigations, including first aid, traffic direction, photographing scene, notification of kin, plus full statistical report as required bylaw
Investigates and makes necessary disposition of animals loose on highways
Escorts oversized vehicles
Escorts caravans - pedestrian, bicycle, motor vehicle, charity
promotions, etc.
Assists funeral processions in traffic
Conducts park patrol
Controls and directs traffic at public functions

Communications

Radio: operates full radio communication to surrounding counties, cities, state and all county mobile units
Telephone: operation of multi-line systems, including in-watts lines. Access to open line, civil defense, NAWAS. Access to statewide warning points for severe weather warnings. Access to direct lines, Alabama bureaus.
Teletype: access to all state ACHIC units. Access to National Law
Enforcement System (NLETS). Access
to National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Officer, District Court (with Judge, Clerk of Court, or the County Attorney)

Provides bailiffs for courts
Summons all trial and grand jurors
Serves bench warrants, arrests and brings prisoners before the court
Acts as parole officer and/or supervisor
Returns fugitives from outside of state
Secures extradition waivers on criminals apprehended for outside jurisdictions
Transports prisoners and patients by order of court

Records and Data Bureau

Maintains complete files of criminal records
Maintains complete files of fingerprints
Maintains complete files of prisoners' photographs
Compiles individual daily activity reports
Compiles monthly statistical reports of crimes, activities, working hours of personnel, civil processes, jail population, cost of meals, etc.
Prepares monthly uniform crime reports for state and federal statistics
Furnishes applicants' record checks to FBI, all branches U.S. Armed Forces, Immigration, Civil Service Commission, etc., plus civil industry when authorized by applicant

Civil Procedures

Serves original notices, writs, subpoenas and orders for all Alabama District and Small Claims Courts
Collects judgments under executions, writs of attachment, distress warrants, by levy, and arranges for sale of property, or garnishment of wages, bank accounts., etc., as necessary for said collection
Serves miscellaneous notices for Alabama and out of state attorneys, agents, etc.

Contract Law Enforcement (where in effect)

Conducts prior negotiations and subsequent preparation of city-county contracts
Maintains twenty-four hour coverage of each contract town
Investigates all complaints, makes written reports
Enforces all city ordinances as necessary
Compiles and delivers monthly report of activities to each town council Jail
Admits, books, searches, fingerprints, and photographs all prisoners
Issues clothing and bedding
Supervises cleanliness of prisoners and their living quarters
Arranges for health care of prisoners
Admits visitors, attorneys, ministers, counselors, bondsmen, and
police officers to jail area
Maintains supply of reading material for prisoners
Serves meals, supervises preparation of same
Operates laundry services
Does outside shopping for prisoners
Monitors indoor and outdoor TV surveillance of cell blocks and building (where in effect)
Conducts regular routine checks of prisoners' quarters, twenty-four hours daily

Public Relations

Releases information to news media, prepares press releases as
necessary, gives interviews as requested
Provides speakers on all facets of law enforcement for schools, civic organizations, businessmen, study groups, etc., in the county
Receives tour groups, shows facilities and equipment and explains workings of same and duties of personnel
On top of all this, he must be an exemplary citizen who is active in civic and church affairs

Elections

Serves as member of appointing board Notifies election officials of their appointments
Notifies election officials of time and place of school of instruction
Serves public notice of state and county elections and any special election call by Governor
Notifies public of polling places
Delivers supplies to voting places before polls open
Preservation of order at all elections except municipal elections
Receives ballots after counting and stores for safe keeping for six
months, unless ordered to hold longer

Reserve Deputies

Assist patrol duties in county same as regular deputies without county compensation
Work civic events, PTA functions, high school football games, and college games
Assist in raising funds for Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches

Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches

Established to provide a good home and a secure future for Alabama's needy and worthy boys and girls
The number 1 fundraising project of the Sheriffs of Alabama

Maybe the next time you see a representative of your Sheriff's Office, you 'II say to yourself.

"There goes a Great person with a great job"

How can I prevent crimes?

Crime Prevention Tips

Burglary Basics

Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if you are just planning to be gone a short time, LOCK YOUR DOORS.
Leave some lights on when you go out. If you are planning to be gone for an extended period of time, connect some lamps to an automatic timer.
Keep your garage doors closed and locked.
Don't allow your mail or newspapers to build up for several days if you are out of town. Contact the post office and have them hold your mail, or arrange for a friend to pick it up.
Install deadbolt locks on ALL your outside doors.
Store lawn mowers, bicycles, etc... out of sight.
Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
Have adequate exterior lighting.
Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
An alarm system is excellent for home security.
Don't store and extra key under the floor mat, nearby flower pot, or other similar locations. Burglars are familiar with these.
Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including serial numbers. Take a video or photographs of your home possessions (your insurance company may be able to assist you).
IF YOU SEE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT!

Remember the 3 L's of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS & THE LAW!

Vehicle Theft

If available, park your vehicle inside a locked garage. (Even if the garage is locked, you should still remove the keys from your vehicle and lock the doors).
NEVER leave your keys in your vehicle while it is unattended, even for a short period of time.
Park in a well-lit area, away from shrubs or bushes.

Identity Theft

Treat your Social Security Number as confidential.
Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder when using an ATM. Guard your PIN number.
Commit all passwords to memory. Do not write them down.
Shred your bank statements and other important documents before you place them in the garbage.
Do not endorse checks that you weren't expecting or that claim to be part of a "Sweepstakes" you didn't even know you were entered in. If you receive one of these checks take it to your local law enforcement so they can attempt to verify the validity of it.
Trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

You can find a lot more information by clicking on the links below.

One is for the National Crime Prevention Council, the other is the link to the Cherokee County Offender site. On our offender site you will find more "Frequently Asked Questions," tips for talking with your children about offenders and community awareness fliers!

http://www.ncpc.org/

4. How do eligible victims and witnesses obtain reliable and timely information regarding a criminal alien's release from custody?

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is committed to protecting the public and ensuring that the rights of victims are carefully observed. Listed below is a universal resource locator for the HSI Victim Notification Program. A Victim or witness can simply click on this link and be transferred to a number of valuable victim services programs provided by ICE.

http://www.ice.gov/victim-notification/